Tigers in danger

Species extinction is part of the process, nothing lasts forever!  Causes of extinction are numerous and even mankind plays a role, but like all other species that preceded us we too will become extinct at some point in time.  Way too much energy is wasted attempting to prevent that which is natural in nature.

I see nothing "natural" about this "process". Tigers are illegally hunted and are a precious resource that will be lost due to the selfish behaviors of a few ingrates out there.

What exactly is being "wasted" here?

With the rising populations across the world especially in the Asian continent means that the forest area would disappear in exponential quantity. The conflict between man and animals would only increase as we continue to occupy forest land for agriculture and other related industries. Its high time that we act now to control our ruthless exploitation of nature.

We must be "stewards" of the land and focus on getting off this rock and expanding civilization into the stars.  That is the only way we can survive.

To one degree or another, I agree with everyone so far except for AstuteObserver. I couldn't disagree with you more. We are slaughtering animals, and we have no real right to do so. I don't believe that because we've made ourselves into this current murderous state of ours, that we are any better than any animal on this planet.

We do have a right to slaughter animals, as we do with beef, pork and chicken, which are all plentiful resources. That much I DO understand. That will never change.

But, the Tigers are a resource that is to be enjoyed, not exploited. That is where I can easily differentiate the use for food vs. a disappearing resource on our planet due to the selfish behaviors of a few.

AO's apathetic response bothers me, as he apparently cannot make that differentiated choice and decision, instead choosing to lump it into one callous category.

Let me see the poachers kill tigers for what - their parts to be sold so they themselves can then eat and provide for their families.  And the tiger is a beautiful animal that eats other animals people included provide the opportunity and need!  What then gives one more value than the other?

I enjoy watching animals in their native/natural environment, but the reality is that humans have been able to exploit the resources more efficiently and are now crowding out the wild less civilized animals.  So maybe we should reduce the human population!

Let me see a tiger provides what resource to me other than paticipating  in reducing rodent populations - yeah good becasue I am not a lover of rodents.  What nutty logic people have!

Again extinction is a natural process that is effected by both natural and un-natural events.  Nothing will or can change that fact. 

I agree with being a good steward of the land, but even that is subjective and hence open for disagreement.

I wish the tigers good luck but being human I wish the humans more good luck!  Is that callous - I don't see it as such - more realistic than idealistic.

Neither do I want to see public veterinary services for the animals either or free food provided them!  That is contrary to the natural order.

Are you actually supporting poachers in their endeavors, when so many other options to "provide" for their familes are readily available and also within the law, instead of being outside the law?

I seriously can't believe you even suggest any support for them whatsoever. I have just as much of a right to enjoy their presence with others. Even moreso of a right when you consider the laws that are there to protect them. Those laws are not frivolous and are well intended.

Good grief.....

Yes, I know and really feel ashamed of not being able to individually do anything on this front.  I cannot accept this as natural process. It is purely because of explosion in human population. You have a natural evolution of many things. But deforestation is not a natural process and we are doing this purely for our domicile and industrialization.

anyone can use the below link to have a detailed report on Tiger conservation and research;

http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/tiger/conservation.htm

No I don't support the poachers but then they have a right to provide for their families as much as the tiger does for his off spring.  It is called survival of the fitess!  This is the natural order - when we humans fuck with the bnatural order nothing of value or lasting comes of it.

I fI saw a tiger running off carrying a human child I would certainly kill itwithout remorse.  Giving in to the less fit only serves to weaken the natural order and the the gene pool for each effected species.

I like tiger, lions, etc. but as a human I wish for my species to survive - that sometimes means eliminating the other species that we compete with.  Reduction of threat by other anmals is what is called survival.  Is it best to then let the tigers win or humans?   I doubt seriously that we can sit down and talk out our differences - well unles you are Obama the annointed one!  Give me a fucking break.

Well then cut your fucking throat and make room for the other species.  Dumb fucking cunt - CUNT Can't Understand Normal Thinking!  I bet you voted for that black asshole Obama too!  Live with it bitch and suck me dry!

Give me a fucking break.

Then give the tigers a fucking gun! Tigers are very rarely killed or taking kids, and you know it. That's why it's called P-O-A-C-H-I-N-G. It's also why you're changing the subject here.

Let me put it in a way you an understand it. The orientals pay a premium for tiger parts and bits. Do you support the Chinese in doing that?

In ancient days tigers were killed to show the dareness of the persons. But that tradition is still continuing...

It should be stopped, eventhough forest department is taking required steps, it is we who should follow them and save the species.

If this continues, after some 100 year's man would be the only species on earth........

I have no issue with arming the tiger - good luck training them in the proper loading and firing of it.   Tigers do eat people too - so what!   I may not understand the culture that cherishes various animal parts for use as medicines and aphrodisiacs, but my lack of acceptance or understanding doesn't make their culture wrong!

I enjoy all animals in their native habitat, although I still hunt and harvest them.  We could also look at the cougar population that is now expanding because of recent restrictions imposed on hunting them with dogs.  The result has been a population explosion here and these cats are now harvesting pets and other domesticated animals.  And yes we have even had several human attacks of recent.  So I have no issue with harvesting and thinning the numbers.  That is more humane that seeing them starve to death.

Keep in mind it is not uncommon in eastern cultures to eat cats and dogs of varying species - I may not have a taste for that meat and in fact find it rather unappetizing, but then I fail to accept it as my responsibility to change their culinary customs and impose what I find more acceptable.  Then we should perhaps consider the "sacred cow" concept which dominates India.  Should they then impose upon us a restriction to eating beef?

Then I must reflect on the fact that I eat pussy - not the feline type of course but then pussy is pussy!

So, are you for "thinning" of the tigers?

Yes, if in fact they are a threat to the locals or have over populated I have no issue with that.  The issue for me is achieving some level of balance and co-existance.  If that can't be achieved and the tiger in fact presents a threat then I will stand with my fellow humans in an effort to protect our species first and foremost.

Poaching is a problem and I do not condone that behavior.  But then I am at a disadvantage in that I am not in the region that this occurs so I am sure I don't have all the details or knowledge of the dynamics of the situation.  It is an issue for the locals and not ours to determine what is right or wrong based upon our local cultures and traditions.

It simply is not my issue, right or duty to pass judgement on other cultures as long as it does not infringe upon my culture, freedoms or liberties!  I do take a huge issue with wanton waste however.  IF they are taking the animals for say just their gallbladders and leaving the meat then I have an issue with it.  We have a similar situation in the US with poaching of bears because of the Asian's cultural demand for their various parts - that is also wrong.

Well, that tells me what I need to know. The tigers are already thin to the point of extinction. Your utter ignorance of this issue reflects that. On one side, you pretend to support their existence, but on the other make comments to the opposite effect.

While I understand there are always two sides to every story, I have great difficulty balancing out your two "versions". While you admit thatyou "don't have all the details or knowledge of the dynamics of the situation", I see very little effort on your behalf to obtain that knowledge. The locals are the problem as they turn a blind eye and make a dollar doing so, all at the tiger's expense. Then, you state that you don't endorse that behavior, preceeding that with your conditional "they have a right to make a buck", which I also interpret as "regardless" of the tiger's right to existence and other's rights to enjoy their existence.

In short, you have artfully covered all of your bases, displaying your actual position all along the way. You see, I know how to read between the lines.

Very sad indeed, such wonderfull creatures shall not vanish from the earth if we do something soon. When Humans will be extinct, the planet will cure itself.

I'm not a doomdayer, as I believe life happens in unforseen ways. Absolutes tend to neutralize themselves. Simply awareness should be able to cure any problem. Most people are not bad. Its just the bad that gets the press and give us a bad reputation. Good happens as well.

First IMO this issue is outside my sphere of influence.  It would appear that the poaching is a derivative of local culture.  It is not my place to redefine anothers culture simply because it is in conflict with mine.  Now if it begins to infringe upon my culture locally then that is a different issue.

On the flip side if this species is threatened simply because of land resources the issue changes.  If people are to deny themselves land to produce food crops simply to preserve a species - then I am always going to support the human endeavor above all.   If say for instance humans were threatened with extinction and yet tigers continued to eat them would they behave differently - I think not.

Then on the other hand would it be appropriate or acceptable to capture and place the remaining members in a zoo for preservation?  I think not.  This simply is an issue too far removed for me to support one group over another.  It is an issue of natural order from my perspective.  There are always winners and loser when it comes to competition for resources.  That is a fact of life.

Now I would have no issue with limiting the population of poachers - but then that too is a subjective decision.  There is no real solution to this which can satisfy all parties (tiger & humans).  Some would certainly take issue with killing off the poachers others will not.  As the cliche' goes "shit happens"!

I would prefer that the tiger be left to its own accord and what happens happens.  I certainly would not support placing them in a zoo so we can still admire their beauty either.  That for me is totally unacceptable and anything but natural.

Sometimes we just need to accept that species go extinct for many reasons.  Sad yes but a reality we must learn to accept.  More species have become extinct on this planet than currently exist.  The natural order dictates that upon failure to thrive another species will fill in the void.  Evolution at it finest!

We must keep in mind that at one point humans were a food source (resource) for many animals.  Fortunately for we humans evolution provide us with the facility to defend and establish ourselves at the top of the food chain.  Again, a process of natural order and selection.  There IMO will come a time when our position at the top of the food chain in the greater scheme of things will also change.  Nothing I can do to prevent that from happening either.

Is it a shame to witness the demise of this species of tiger - absolutely.  But then again everything has it time and place - tigers and humans alike.  That is natural order.  I didn't create that process nor can I expect to change it.

You are correct in that I present both sides or perspectives.  I try to do this whenever feasible to do so because only then can I arrive at a position of personal acceptability or balance.  Seldom do we have the good fortune of dealing with clearly cut issues of black or white.  Again that I believe is part and parcel within the concept of natural order.  There is no right or wrong here just differing perspectives that seek dominance - again natural order in full play!

Sad yes but a reality we must learn to accept.

I disagree as that statement pretty much sums it up for you. Even you know that one's reality may differ in perception from another's. Neither may be right. But what IS important here is what is achievable.

There's still plenty of land for both species. That much is obvious. The lack of management of this land does not fall upon the tiger. That's where man comes in. And the enforcement of poaching laws.

That is where we disagree.  In order to stop the poaching completely a significant cultural change would be required.  I am not so sure that is likely or even possible to accomplish.   True strong enforement of the law would certainly curtail poaching, but I doubt it alone would eliminate the problem.  In a perfect world maybe, but last time I checked it is an imperfect world we live in.  One can hope however!

Perfection is never achievable. That much I will agree upon. But, not making the effort to do so will not benefit anyone here. Better management is achievable and great gains have already been made. Also, articles like this one keeps the attention focussed where it needs to be. I'm not going to simply throw up my hands here and say it's not achievable.

I am not throwing in the towel and giving up.  I just believe this is an issue best dealt with on a local basis.  Nations need to learn to resolve their local issues without external or foreign interventions.  It is about self governance as much as anything for me.   At the moment my plate is pretty full dealing with issue germain to my country.  It is not that I am without compassion or appreciation of the value of this species of tigers.  I am willing to even donate to the cause but at the moment my focus is on what is happening to my country!  It is simply a question of priorities for me.