Final Self-Reflection

I enjoyed doing this project and learning more about an animal I have always been intrigued with.  It was fun to look up things about this animal that I normally wouldn't think to learn about.  I am glad that I spent time researching this animal, because I’m more knowledgeable about how it acts and is viewed throughout society.  I have always had positive thoughts about tigers, and this project just strengthened my views on them.  Overall I had a great time completing this project, and class as well.  I have learned to appreciate all animals, and that there is more to most of them than I had thought before. I wish I could take more classes like this, but even though I can’t I will be recommending this class to anyone who has an interest in animals.  

Moral Vision Statement

I believe that we need to treat non-human animals in more humane ways.  Animals should be viewed as amazing creatures and beings that share this world with us.  Too many people think that humans run the world, and it is only about us.  I don’t believe this at all.  People need to start respecting animals, and realizing that they are sentient beings with emotions and feelings just like us.  Animals can sense things that we can’t, and can even sometimes feel things that we can’t as well.  It does seem very unfair that certain animals are used for food or other products, but realistically there is no way to turn everyone in the world into a vegan.  There will always be animals that are hunted and put on farms for human consumption.  I think it’s important to treat them with respect, because after all they are giving the ultimate sacrifice for us, even though it’s against their will.  We also need to stop destroying these habitats that are crucial for certain animal’s survival and we need to stop hunting animals to the brink of extinction.  Don’t these people realize that once an animal is gone, it’s really gone?  Animals are a very important part of human life, and most people enjoy a special bond with their animals as well.  People need to treat every animal as if it were their pet at home.  Each animal needs to be seen as special, and I think after this becomes a universal agreement, we can live in harmony with humans and animals side by side.

Compromise

Welfare of animals: Each organization cares for the welfare and health of the animal that is being owned.  Sometimes, however, the health of the animal suffers because there is not a large source of veterinarians that are equipped to handle certain exotic animals.  To compromise, those who own exotic animals need to find a qualified veterinarian beforehand and make sure to follow the guidelines they put out regarding the animal.  This way those who have an exotic pet can properly care for it, and those who are against the ownership can at least have peace of mind that the animal is being cared for.

Safety: Safety is a big issue for those who are against owning an exotic animal.  Those who do own them claim they are very safe, which may not be true 100% of the time.  There are more attacks caused by exotic animals than caused by domesticated animals every year.  The only compromise to this issue is to ban ownership of known dangerous exotic animals.  There are plenty of exotic animals that are not dangerous and can provide happiness to their owners.  Although those people who own large cats and other dangerous animals will not be happy, there is no equal compromise for this issue. 

Fairness:  There are issues regarding the fairness of laws concerning exotic animals from those who are for the ownership of them.  They don’t think it is the governments place to tell someone what type of animal they can and can’t have.  Those organizations that are against the ownership of exotic animals are for these laws.  A compromise for this issue would be to re-evaluate these laws and possibly change any that are overstepping the boundaries of what the government should be able to control or not. 

Sources: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/exotic_pets/facts/dangerous-exotic-pets-big-cats.html, http://www.rexano.org//Rexano_Position.htm#Care

Controversial Topic – Con

Dear Human Society of America,

            I have looked at your reasoning as to not keep exotic animals as pets.  I agree with your reasons.  You state on your website that owning exotic animals can be dangerous, and one of the dangerous species is tigers.  You say that keeping big cats is also dangerous to the cats themselves because often times they are kept in small cages, and don’t have the same socialization skills as those in the wild.  I agree with this point, there is no possible way to make a cage big enough for a tiger to compare to the space it would have out in the wild, and make it safe to keep.  Tigers need to have plenty of space to run and hunt, not be cooped up in a cage for their entire lives. You also make a point saying that tigers are a threat to public safety, as well.  There are many cases of tiger attacks on children and adults throughout the US, and for this reason I also agree that they should not be kept.  Although a tiger may benefit from a human companionship, this may be the only benefit to keeping an exotic animal such as a tiger in ones home.  Great points and views on the ownership of exotic animals.

Sincerely,

Vikki Imes

Sources: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/exotic_pets/facts/dangerous-exotic-pets-big-cats.html

Controversial Topic – Pro

Dear Rexano,

            After doing some research on the nature of your group, I see that you are committed to supporting a person’s desire to own an exotic animal in their home.  Your organization believes that animals are personal property, and it is not the governments place to make legislation that restricts private ownership of exotic animals.  You say that exotic animals are used as therapy and assistance animals for war veterans, people that have been in accidents and senior citizens that are in nursing homes.  Your organization believes strongly in the proper care and humane treatment of exotic animals.  You say on your website that anyone owning an exotic animal should properly care for it and keep it in a clean environment that is protected from hazardous weather.  You also say that the animal needs to be provided with proper diet and fresh water at all times, and that exotic and wild animals benefit from human companionship.  These are great benefits to the animal, and need to be followed to be sure the animal has a long, healthy, and happy life.  Having an exotic animal can be a benefit to humans in a matter of happiness and joy in having a companion animal that most people do not have.  They may be able to form special bonds with their exotic animal, and this can be a truly special thing for the animal and the human as well.  I think it needs to be stressed to keep any potentially dangerous exotic animal in proper housing/caging as to not frighten those against the ownership of these exotic animals, and to raise the animal with respect and a healthy lifestyle to ensure positive behavior. 

Sincerely,

Vikki Imes

Sources: http://www.rexano.org//Rexano_Position.htm#Care

Controversial Topic

One controversial topic concerning tigers especially, is the owning and trading/selling of exotic pets.  Tigers are commonly held as pets, and are usually obtained when they are young because of how cute and cuddly they are.  Once they grow older, however, they have unpredictable behavior and can potentially injure or kill people.  They also have been known to escape and can terrorize communities if let out to roam free.  The only benefit to keeping a tiger as a pet would be self satisfaction and happiness for the owner.  Tigers are not meant to be domesticated, and keeping them as a pet is a dangerous thing to do.  Usually when people get these exotic animals, they don't have access to the proper care, diet, housing or maintenance, which is dangerous for the animals.  In my opinion tigers should not be held as pets as it is dangerous not only for the people keeping the pets, but for the tigers as well.

Source: http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?p=187&more=1

Religion/Mythology

In Asian mythology, tigers are said to represent Yin, and rule over the earth, while dragons are the opposite, representing Yang, and have dominion over the sky.  It was said that the breath of a tiger created the wind,  and the dragon's breath created clouds, which together creates rain.  It was believed that tigers would live extremely long lives as well, becoming a white tiger at 500 years, and once it reached 1000 years, they would become immortal and have the power to turn into any shape or form they desired.  Tiger claws and teeth were worn as amulets to ward off danger and give courage to the weak as well.  This belief in the powers and immorality of tigers made society view them very highly and with great respect.

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2010/02/08/Tigers-in-folklore/

Film

There are a few movies that represent tigers as main characters in them.  "Two Brothers" is a children's film that follows the lives of two tiger brothers that are taken from each other when they are young, and eventually reunited when they are older to fight each other by their owners.  The two brothers eventually recognize each other and manage to escape, leaving a happy ending for the audience.  The movie's message was aimed toward not only children, but their parents alike in protecting and saving tigers as a species.  The movie was made as a message to the viewers to become more conscious of tigers as a species, and to realize they aren't these viscous created to be scared of, but actually loving creatures that are just misunderstood.  

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"The Life of Pi" is a more adult oriented film which features a tiger as a main character.  It follows Pi from being a young child whose family owns a zoo, to a teenager that gets stranded on a small boat with a tiger when there is an accident on their ship, killing his family.  Pi has to befriend the tiger and realizes that by feeding and keeping the tiger alive, the tiger is in turn keeping him alive as well.  The movie ends with the tiger leaving Pi and going into the jungle, much to Pi's dismay, and Pi relaying the story of his journey with the tiger.  Pi may have imagined all of this, but it is up to the viewer to decide that for themselves.  I think a tiger was used in this film because they are beautiful, majestic creatures and do not trust others easily.  This makes it a perfect animal for this movie, because Pi has to work at gaining the tiger's trust for the animal to protect him, and is necessary for both of their survivals.

Literature/Folklore

"The Tiger" by John Vailiant is a great example of using tigers in literature.  His story takes place in a remote village in eastern Russia.  Its plot revolves around a man eating tiger, the relationship between man and tiger, and how humans may have evolved to coexist with tigers and fit perfectly into their ecosystem.  In the novel it is discovered that the tiger isn't attacking people randomly, but has a vendetta against those who have turned to poaching, which upset the natural balance of coexisting with the tigers.  The tiger was chosen in this novel to tell the story of how important tigers are in our world, and to explain that we may be closer to them then we think.  This novel tries to sway societies perception of tigers being viscous for no apparent reason, and tries to get the reader to understand how oppressed the tiger is feeling and therefore is acting out in certain ways that don't represent the species as a whole.   

Source: http://www.thetigerbook.com/the-book/

Art

Tigers have long been viewed as important symbols for thousands of years in Asia.  Ancient art, like the painting above, use tigers as the symbol of Yin in "Yin and Yang". The Yin stands for darkness, passiveness, water, wind, and the earth.  The tiger is shown crouching low to the ground, ready to pounce, which represents the earth being the tiger's territory and her strength as being her quiet power.  

The more modern art involving tigers is much more realistic looking, and very well done.  This painting is showing the tiger in a crouched stance in water, similar to the crouched stance in the ancient painting of the tiger representing Yin.  The symbolism for the Yin may not be explicitly stated in this painting, but the message is the same of the tiger being one with the earth and having her quiet strength showing through her gaze.  

Sources: http://www.artsmia.org/education/teacher-resources/objectinfocus_d.cfm?p=1&v=33#

Speciesism

Tigers are definitely a victim of speciesism.  In the United States we put them in zoos to oogle at, we force them to perform in circuses and shows because of how magnificent and beautiful they are, and we are also extremely afraid of them to the point where we will kill one if we see it loose.  Some countries have hunted tigers to the point of endangerment because people desire the way they look, and they value their fur, teeth, and claws.  Other animals do not have as unique of markings as the tiger, and this is one reason why they are discriminated against and treated differently than other animals.   

Ethology

Tigers are solitary, but are also known to socialize with members of their species.  Tigers tend to hunt alone, using calculations allowing them to sneak up on their prey and attack when the moments right.  This is a sign of intelligence in the tiger.  Although tigers prefer to hunt alone, they have been known to share with others, this indicates that tigers communicate with others.  Tigers are also very emotional creatures, and show affection.  This has been seen by humans that study tigers long term, and have grown to be accepted by the tigers as one of them.  The tigers will cuddle and play with the human as if they were one of their own.  Their intelligence in hunting is beneficial to their survival since destruction of their habitats has left food sources to dwindle, hunting alone with a less chance of being detected serves as a way of survival and a higher chance of success.

Sources: http://www.tigers-world.com/; http://www.louisdorfman.com/species/tigers.html;

Current Social Perceptions

This species is viewed differently across different cultures.  In parts of Asia the tiger is viewed as a good to be hunted and sold.  Tiger parts can be priced to as much as $50,000 on the black market, which makes poaching of these animals very enticing.  Certain parts of the tiger are believed to give good luck, and other parts are used as symbols of status and wealth.  Tigers are also being bred on a commercial scale, and most of these tigers end up being sold on the black market as well.  In western countries, like the United States, we house tigers in zoos, rescue centers, and even in our own back yards.  Tigers are seen as an amusement, yet still dangerous and to be cautious of.  We use them as school and team mascots because we regard them as fierce and powerful. Some people express their wealth by buying a tiger for show, and others simply enjoy tigers enough to keep them as pets.  Tigers are even used for entertainment because they are so exotic.  There are tigers involved in circus acts, and used in shows in Vegas, for example.  We have a mix between fear and amazement when we regard tigers in captivity and in the wild.  There are also movements all over the world to save the dwindling tiger population.  The WWF’s, for example, wants to double the number of tigers in the wild within the next 10 years.  They want to end a demand for tiger parts, and enforce more laws banning tiger products.  They are also fighting to protect tiger habitats, and continue more research on tiger wildlife.  There are some negative views on tigers, like poachers who think they are something to be hunted and nothing else, but the overall perceptions of tigers are generally good ones, people love seeing them, and want to save them.  

Sources: http://www.savetigersnow.org/problem,  http://www.savetigersnow.org/solutions

Social History

The tiger is not a domesticated animal, it is wild and native to Asia, but can also be found in Turkey, India, Russia and Africa.  Since the beginning of mankind, tigers have been seen as fascinating creatures due to their magnificence and remarkable qualities.  They have been used in mythology, and used as powerful symbols in ancient Asia.  For example, the tiger is one of the 12 animals of the zodiac created in ancient China, and in Buddhism, the tiger is one of the 3 senseless creatures, representing anger.  Tigers were a very important part of life in ancient times, and are still regarded as magnificent beings.  The first field study that dealt with tigers, Bengal tigers to be more specific, was done in 1967 by George Schaller.  This study examined the behavior and ecology of wild Bengal tigers.  His study was then followed by others documenting the social dynamics of these wild tigers.  We know and have studied the most about Bengal tigers, other tiger subspecies have not yet been studied with such detail.  Tigers are used for their skins, bones, teeth, and claws on the black market.  This market for tigers has grown so large that it has been made illegal to sell these goods because of endangerment of the species.

Sources: http://www.savetigersnow.org/problem; http://www.lions.org/tiger.html; http://www.tigerlink.org/husbandry/husman1.htm

Species Identification - Tigers

The animal I have chosen for my social deconstruction project is the tiger.  I have always been fascinated with tigers, and thought this would be the perfect time to learn more about them.  Society classifies tigers as exotic, since they are not domesticated or native to the United States.