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.