Tigers Need Us!!

Cole Brothers Circus Tiger - Photo by & © DM De Santis

Tigers are not gimmicks, attractions, props or pets. Tony The Truck Stop Tiger represents one of the estimated 5,000* tigers privately owned in the United States whose numbers exceed tigers left in the wild. These captive U.S. tigers suffer in backyards as “pets,” in roadside zoos attractions and circuses, and are bred for profit; tiger cubs are exploited in photo ops and exhibitions, and others are condemned to canned hunts and sold on the black market.

Tiger cubs are exploited and abused in money-making ploys disguised as “educational shows.” There is nothing educational about displaying cubs in hands-on exhibitions and photo ops – but it is how individuals and pseudo-sanctuaries capitalize on the appeal of these baby tigers and other big cat cubs to lure the public into their unscrupulous schemes. Exploiting tiger cubs by allowing the public to interact with them is not educational, but dangerous and misleading, as well as harmful to the cubs. The real life horrors these cats face once they shed their “cuteness” and turn into 300 to 500 lb. predators are years of captive life in deplorable conditions. Please don’t contribute to this abuse by engaging in these exhibitions, supporting or promoting them

Take Action!!

Cubs Dragged From Mall to Mall http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=53392676

More on Tiger Cub Abuse: http://bigcatrescue.org/abuse-issues/issues/pet-cubs/

There is no conservation value in privately breeding tigers. The only sanctioned tiger breeding program in the United States is the Species Survival Plan in which AZA accredited zoos participate. Privately breeding tigers contributes to the escalating problem of privately owned tigers in the United States.

Backyard Tigers of America: (Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL)

Big Cats of America:  (Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL)

One of the most important actions you can take for tigers NOW!

Please read how you can help captive tigers like Tony in the United States:

http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1801  (The Animal Legal Defense Fund)

http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/issues/alert/?alertid=53173501  (Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL)

The deadline to submit comments is September 21, 2011. Please submit a comment to the USFWS in support of the proposal to eliminate the exemption for “generic” tigers today. http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FWS-R9-IA-2011-0027-0001

Adult tigers are exhibited in traveling shows as well and made to perform ridiculous stunts. One of the many titled “The Bengal Tiger Encounter” will be at the Topsfield Fair in Massachusetts October 8,9, and 10: http://www.topsfieldfair.org/features.php  http://www.capitolint.com/Fairs/tiger_encounter/tiger_encounter.html

(Is this “educational?” I find it degrading and insulting to the intelligence and dignity of these great cats.)

 Here is the description from their website: This animal production is an educational program featuring Bengal tigers. These magnificent animals will be on display all day to help educate the public on the loss of habitat and the poaching of tigers in India and Africa. The show will be performed three times daily in the Grandstand, October 8, 9, and 10. (Please see the Daily Program for show times.)

A white tiger and a golden tabby are also part of the “act.” Read more about white tigers http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/3/white-tigers-conserving-a-lie/  and @Topsfield Fair: tigers are not native to Africa.

What you can do to help tigers:

• Do not patronize or support events that exploit tigers and tiger cubs (or any big cats.)
• If there’s an online article about a show coming to a mall, fair, or a circus employing animal acts, comment on it voicing your concern for the animals and your opposition to such shows. Share the information via Twitter and Facebook and ask others to do the same. You can also contact the venue to tell them you do not support such exhibitions of animal cruelty and abuse.  If you do see a traveling exhibit, particularly one with cubs, report it to info@BigCatRescue.org
• Check out Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL’s Action Alerts for ways you can advocate for big cats: http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/home/
• Share links to videos and articles about tigers to network the plights they face both in captivity and the wild – some of which have been included in this post.
• Support true accredited sanctuaries that provide caring proper homes for big cats such as:

Big Cat Rescue – Tampa FL http://www.bigcatrescue.org

The WildCat Sanctuary http://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/

WildCat Haven http://www.wildcathaven.org/

Facilities that breed, buy, sell, force their animals to perform and exhibit them off site are just profiting from these animals and should be avoided.

Such majestic and magnificent cats like tigers should be respected and protected and it is up to those of us who care about tigers to continue to be a strong voice for them.

On a final note: Thanks for caring about Tony and your dedication to him. Visit: http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/tony-still-needs-us/  for ways you can continue to advocate for him.

*References:

Tigers in The U.S. (Big Cat Rescue of Tampa FL)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n80OuEA2f3w  

Tigers Among US (World Wildlife Fund)

 http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/tigers/captive-tigers/