International Tiger Day is on July 29, 2020, to celebrate and promote awareness of the importance of tiger preservation. APUS Save the Earth Club would like its members to celebrate by taking the time to reflect on the importance of tiger preservation, and the impact of buying and selling the species. Did you know that in the U.S. there are more than 5,000 tigers living in backyards, roadside zoos, and other areas with inadequate space?
Tigers have been put in the spotlight more than ever this year as a result of the popular Netflix documentary series “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.” Tigers are an endangered species that are being traded, privately kept and abused throughout the United States. Understanding the differences between true conservation efforts and those posing as them for profit are critical.Joe Exotic, who is also known as the “Tiger King” owned around 200 tigers. To hold these large cats, he built a 16-acre zoo in Oklahoma. He would sell cubs as young as 1-week old for profit. It is estimated he sold around 100 cubs to private buyers and earned $5,000 or more per cub.
In the state of Texas, lax laws make it easy for citizens to privately own tigers. This has also created opportunities to sell big cats in other countries like Mexico. Exotic animals to include tigers are seized at the border as cats are bred in the U.S. and smuggled into Mexico. Private ownership of big cats is also a concern because of their dietary needs, habitat requirements, and the physical dangers associated with owning tigers.
To own tigers, you must know what a tiger’s needs are. Many breeders keep cubs on a bottle for an extended period to keep them smaller longer. Big cats are malnourished by owners to make it easier to handle them. The cubs that are not sold are either used for breeding or euthanized. USDA regulations only require enough space for tigers to move around. However, they are kept in cages the size of a parking space, small backyards, and basements. Tigers are unique creatures and they need just as unique care. There are many places in America that are posing as refuges or falsely operating under the premise that they are protecting and saving this endangered species. It is important to be informed about which charities and conservation efforts are truly protecting this breed and not exploiting them for profit. There are several true tiger sanctuaries that are accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and that are helping to end abuse: GFAS
To understand the difference between a true tiger sanctuary and a scam please check out this article and video from PETA here:
Happy International Tiger Day!
