I was up very early this morning writing in the chapter "I want to see a tiger"..."Yes but does the tiger want to see you" when a couple of articles came up and then got tweeted at @WildTigerNews:
I guess those who truly care about this stuff will check out the articles but one of my own real concerns is the lack of thinking about the right of wildlife to live privately. This has been an ever deepening subject matter for me especially over the last fifteen years. Living with the leopard Asa and doing my best to see the world through his eyes, it certainly altered my vision. Concentrating intently on understanding his reactions (when humans were about) really confirmed many of the thoughts I've had about wildlife tourism, scientific research as well as the exploitation mentioned in the two articles.
I'm not going into details now but one of the stories for my book is a discussion with a friend of mine, a Frenchman, six years ago. He was telling me of his passion for tribal masks and of an island where these masks have deep cultural importance. When I asked Bastian when he will go to this island he replied that he never will, he cares too much to taint the place further, many tourists visit there already.
I've only ever had two people say to me similar answers when talking about their respect for wildlife. It's a complex subject and is the theme of the chapter but in many ways is trying to understand the essence of the inward thinking of humans... at a time when we really need to be thinking outwardly, seeing through the eyes of others, including wildlife...
This post is also at Facebook (along with other updates) if you wish to comment.
I guess those who truly care about this stuff will check out the articles but one of my own real concerns is the lack of thinking about the right of wildlife to live privately. This has been an ever deepening subject matter for me especially over the last fifteen years. Living with the leopard Asa and doing my best to see the world through his eyes, it certainly altered my vision. Concentrating intently on understanding his reactions (when humans were about) really confirmed many of the thoughts I've had about wildlife tourism, scientific research as well as the exploitation mentioned in the two articles.
I'm not going into details now but one of the stories for my book is a discussion with a friend of mine, a Frenchman, six years ago. He was telling me of his passion for tribal masks and of an island where these masks have deep cultural importance. When I asked Bastian when he will go to this island he replied that he never will, he cares too much to taint the place further, many tourists visit there already.
I've only ever had two people say to me similar answers when talking about their respect for wildlife. It's a complex subject and is the theme of the chapter but in many ways is trying to understand the essence of the inward thinking of humans... at a time when we really need to be thinking outwardly, seeing through the eyes of others, including wildlife...
This post is also at Facebook (along with other updates) if you wish to comment.
