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#