09 Jun A Wild Tiger experience is a must for all!

Thank you for reading this far and making it to the TfT wildlife blog. The pieces of writing found on this blog are designed to give you some info and an insight into the world of wildlife both from a traveler and local’s point of view.

Unfortunately, as much as we would love to talk about the wonderful beautiful wild and all that surrounds it, the situation for some species is critical and without immediate action and solutions to the problems, the future is looking glum for these individuals.

Experiencing a Wild Tiger!

I was lucky enough to see a wild Tiger for the first time in the autumn of 2010. The whole experience opened up a new way of perceiving and recognising the natural world. It is now 5 years later that I have built a travel agency to try and offer other wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers to get out and to get involved with their particular love for animals.

It is very hard to put into words or to describe the feeling of a wild tiger encounter or sighting, I have had countless discussions with the chief naturalists at the various Tiger Tops properties about how they feel when they see Tigers, still to this day (some having over 40 years of guiding under their belt) they cannot pin point a description or sentence that do justice to the emotion of a tiger sighting. Not only that, but the exact same feeling descends on you time and time again when you are in the presence of a wild tiger, no matter how many times you are lucky enough to see the cats.

The emotion I experienced when I saw wild tigers for the first time was greater and superior then any other high I have had to this day. My first Tiger sighting is still the most surreal moment I have had in my life time, I can re live each moment second by second. You first experience a stream of excitement and eagerness, peering from your vehicle or elephant to get your first glimpse. Next comes a euphoric chill with the first time you lay your eyes on the striped master, you are then in total awe to their power and size, presence and strength. But the final emotion and the most memorable, is an overwhelming feeling of beauty and magnificence, like a special moment when you are at your happiest and you want to cry. It’s that magical joy that stays with you for a lifetime and brings you back time and time again to try and see Tigers. If you look into those individuals who have continuously supported Tiger conservation over the years and ask them how it all began, I imagine you may get a similar story.

Wild Tigers are on the verge of disappearing, since 1900 we have lost 97% of the population. Just over a century ago there were 100,000 walking the wilderness and now in 2015 there are little over 3000. The demand for their parts in China and Vietnam is getting stronger, the price of the bone is only on the up, giving the poachers in the field a reason to kill and supply the demand. At present, tigers are worth more dead then alive. Tourism is the single factor that can convince the locals on the ground that the value of the Tiger and a healthy population is a far superior and sustainable form of income to taking the Tiger for their skin and bone.

I hate to be a cynic, but as a planet we have lost over 50% of our wildlife since the 1970’s and the reality for tigers is really not looking good. I could not live with myself if in 20 years time there were no more wild tigers, and those who had been involved in the industry had not given people a proper overview of the present situation.

One of the purposes of this blog is to make sure we cannot use the excuse in 20 years time ‘Oh but I did not know’.

Peace and Tigers

Jack