HOME

Times have become extremely difficult for tigers, leopards, lions, jaguars and all other wild cats that used to be masters of their environment. Now they no longer enjoy this status as the strength, cunning and stealth they acquired in the last millions of years of evolution are no longer sufficient to guarantee their survival. Characteristics that aided their survival in nature over millions of years are not unfailingly effective in the world changed by man. Now the situation is such that no stalking-skill can help bring down prey as the environment, the jungles and the habitat that supports the prey has either been destroyed or changed. Feline’s ability to move furtively through vegetation is virtually useless when there is no place left to hide. Indeed, the adaptations that have served the cats so well in the natural world can work to their disadvantage in the world changed by man. The result is that throughout much of the world, jungle cats and humans are increasingly coming into conflict with each other. Man is increasingly usurping forest lands which once belonged to wild animals and turning it into farmlands and residential areas.

Among other factors increasing human population is the single largest threat to the wild cats, as it is to most other wild animals. It is what ultimately lies behind the pollution, deforestation, general disturbance of the environment that, if allowed to continue, will destroy most of the wild world. The problem is more acute in places where these cats have their strongholds. Not even the deepest jungles or the highest mountains are immune. Especially when humans have poisons, firearms and above all greed to earn money by trading in animal parts, the balance tilts heavily against the cats. We all know that wild cats with spots and stripes are being killed for fur trade and more importantly for Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM).

Whether or not representing divinity, the big cats have long been associated with power and vitality in the human mind. The leopard and lion show up frequently in the heraldry of medieval Europe. Tiger flesh and it’s body parts are still being used in Chinese medicines to improve health and sexual potency.

While impressed by the big cats, however, people have not shied from persecuting them. Literally since the dawn of history, man has waged war against the big cats, and the beasts have given ground – little by little at first, more recently with shocking suddenness.

Extensive and organized assaults on big jungle cats are a creation more of modern times, but their over-exploitation began long ago. Romans, who drained the big cats from much of the then-known world for shows in the arena, demanded a steady supply of tigers and lions for their bloody displays. According to Pliny hundreds of lions brought probably from northern Africa, used in single shows staged by Pompey and Caesar.

About the time Europeans began to “discover” rest of the world, the situation started to change. As the wilderness was breached by industrialization, machines and various jungle expeditions the havens of big cats gradually disappeared. Yet these animals remained abundant in much of the world. In early 20th century, there were some 40,000 tigers in India alone. Today just handful of them are left compared to the early 20th century figure.

Extinction looms close not only to several of the big cats, but almost all the jungle cats. None is so safe that its future is fully secured, although a few have made the best of a worsening situation. Many developing nations, to their great credit, have undertaken truly meaningful programs to protect their wildlife. These programs need support from the citizens of the world to become a reality.

The wild cats are animals to be admired and appreciated, not only for the important role they play as predators in keeping the ecology in balance, but for their own intrinsic qualities. These creatures, at once fierce and gentle, stark and soft, frightening and beautiful, embody nature in its many aspects. If the cats were to be vanish from the wild, perhaps the day-to-day lives of most people would not change significantly, but the world would be sadly impoverished by the loss.

17 opinions on “HOME”

  3. This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!

  4. Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too great. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is actually a great site.

  5. Hello there, You have done a fantastic job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this website.

  8. I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.

  9. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  13. hi!,I love your writing very so much! proportion we be in contact more about your post on AOL? I require an expert in this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Taking a look ahead to see you.

  15. Appreciating the dedication you put into your website and in depth information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *