These days all of the animal industry from conservation to cat sanctuaries is a business, and there is nothing wrong with making money. BUT can't it be ethical?
In "Lions, Tigers and Scams" I take a look at the cub petting industry. This is one of the main reasons why there are so many unwanted big cats filling up the few good sanctuaries/rescues in the US. For the money this industry brings in, one would hope that it is going to actually help the cats or save them in their natural habitats, but it isn't. I think it is possible to have a sustainable wild tiger population in Asia, and that we can protect tigers from people, and locals from tigers.
A true sanctuary is a place that does not breed, sell, or pull baby animals from their mothers to be dragged around from State Fairs to Car Shows and all places in between for the public to hold. They sell this off as entertainment, and maybe it is for some, and maybe we no longer care about the welfare of the animals involved or the bigger picture? But I'd like to think we do. These dealers and breeders bank on our ignorance and that is wrong.
And for a new report by WWF/Traffic on the captive tiger go to:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFBinaryitem9751.pdf
The entertainment field also dumps its animals into sanctuaries for an excellent documentary go to:
http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/cruelcamera
In my research, I found many places claiming to be sanctuaries. How to spot a good place so your money is donated wisely.
(The majority of zoos and sanctuaries are NOT accredited and have nothing else but a USDA license.)
A good sanctuary will rarely have to rescue cubs. Adult tigers are dumped and baby tigers are mostly sold or traded. A good sanctuary won't have a web site filled with picture of its members holding baby animals and hanging over adults cats. A good sanctuary will be involved in getting better legislation to protect the welfare of the big cats and some are involved in conservation efforts to protect the wild cats in their natural habitats. But as seen even in a few accredited zoos that dropped SSP managed breeding programs, to showcase money making white tigers, you will find poor ethics in the "sanctuary" world as well.
Sanctuary accredidation-
ASA
http://www.asaanimalsanctuaries.org/
TAOS
http://www.taosanctuaries.org/
http://www.sanctuaryfederation.org/
I would support accredited NON tiger breeding places like Wildcat Sanctuary (MN), PAWS (CA), Cederhill (MS), Big Cat Rescue (FL).
(*A recent report about the Chimpanzee showed that people didn't recognize it as an endangered species due to seeing it used all over in media, films, ads, etc.. and I feel this is happening with the Tiger)
I would, in my opinion, not support places that have cubs all the time, or just poor tiger ethics that put a strain on animal welfare.
Places like Great Cats of Indiana (IN), Great Cat Adventures (OK), T.I.G.E.R.S. (SC and FL), Horseshoe Creek (FL), G.W. Exotics (OK) and breeders/showcasers like Marcus Cook (Zoo Dynamics) and Mark Schoebel (R-Zoo)...the list could sadly go on and on.
(Former G.C.A. employees remarks at:)
http://politicsandyoutubeinreview.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/hello-again-cyberworld/
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Controversy overseas-
Tiger Temple (Thailand)
http://www.tigertemple.co.uk/
Is a reported scam? (Money earned so they could trade tigers)
http://travel.asiaone.com/Travel/News/Story/A1Story20080623-72311.html
Cub photos/Lion walking debate. (South Africa)
Where captive baby lion cubs enter canned hunts/ or our dinner plates here in America.
http://safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=1645
http://www.cannedlion.co.za/
Thanks to those that responded (some nicely, some not) to my e mails and helped me with this report Thanks to USDA and to Whole Foods. Thanks to the tiger owner who kindly told me I should do a report on the Jet Ski since they kill more people than captive tigers. (When they Jet Ski becomes a living endangered species and a flagship animal, then I will)
If you think I have some information that is incorrect simply contact me here.
And remember, please don't hold that cub.
Thank you.
I heard that the Panda is making a comeback- why?- strict breeding by a few accredited zoos around the world(charging them millions to house the panda) and a good policy to protect the land the pandas are on. What a shame we didn't/can't do this for the tiger. Instead we breed the hybrid tiger to drag their cubs around to a state fair.
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