There is no known way to stop human population growth given the state of most populations of people on this planet. Even thee most well-policed countires are still growing.

Captive husbandry is not a perfect answer, as these animals are designed to fill a particular role in a healthy ecosystem. This is something that is hard to duplicate, even approximately, in a captive setting. But, I don’t think any reasonable person would say extinction is an acceptable alternative. (Groups like PETA actually say extinction is better than captivity!!!!!) We need lions and tigers in this world just as much as we need cows, pigs, horses, etc.

One of the reasons that top predators survive in the wild is they are extremely adaptable. Just like they can adapt to a changing environment or prey base, they can adapt to captivity if certain needs are met. As much as scientists have established the biological needs these animals have to have in captivity, caring owners have found how to meet their psychospiritual needs. These are just as important (if not more so) as proper diet, temperature range, etc. If both sets of needs are met, not only do these remarkable animals survive in captivity, they thrive in captivity.

Elle, you are very close to understanding what things are really like. What you need to do now is find a place where you can spend time with properly cared-for big cats. It will open up a world to you that you are probably now aware of– one that will chage your life forever. You will quickly learn that we humans do not tame big cats; in fact, they tame us!

Regarding life in the wild: it is no vacation. Why do you think the big cats in captivity live up to 10 years longer. They don’t have to struggle every day just to survive; and if their owner is following federal guidelines they are given “enrichment” to keep them stimulated (they are very intelligent and constantly need new and interesting discoveries.) Possibly why the “old school” zoo theories show animals that pace and “over groom” themselves until they have bald spots. I used to think that circus tigers were the worst scenario. I now know from over 10 years of working with them that these are the happiest. They are constantly given new challenges and learning experiences. The have an incredible bond with their trainer or this would never work! This should be obvious, if you analyze their “mentality” and needs.

It’s not any different than saying the obvious, that we all want cure for cancer. Of course we do. But how do we achieve it?

If the main problem here is that tiger habitat is disappearing, blame human encroachment and population boom. And the only ways to reverse those things are to ban human breeding or to kill humans living near tigers. Then the animals can reclaim habitat. Why don’t we start in the United States with that. After all, the U.S. has endangered species in need of protection. That is, unless you have a better and more workable solutions. I’m all ears. Honest.

I wish to protect the wild tiger, but I’m the first one to admit I have no idea how to accomplish it, just like I don’t have the cure for cancer. I’d rather see tigers survive in captivity than become extinct altogether. Let me offer a slogan: “Extinction is forever.”

And yes, I own captive tigers and have for years. I believe you can offer an appropriate environment for captive tigers. Remember, all domestic animals were domesticated from wild cousins.

There is a war on wilderness going on. It has been going on since some humans first separated themselves from the daily struggles of survival. Wildness is viewed as worthless, dangerous, scary, something to be feared and fought, controlled and dominated.

Big cats are wild. That is a fact. They were not domesticated thousands of years ago like dairy cows. No one wants to domesticate big cats, not truly, because the whole reason people are fascinated with them is because they have the mystique of the wilderness about them. It’s because they remind people that we are not the top of the food chain and the rulers of the earth. Wild animals, because of the very nature of what and who they are, need to be free. Large carnivores, even more than other animals, have the need to be free. Any big cat in a captive setting is a tragedy. Unselfishly put yourself in their position for a moment. They will never feel the thrill of the hunt, pushing their muscles and their minds to the breaking point to outwit and overpower that animal that they must kill in order to survive. They will never have to search miles of forest for a scent on the air known only to them in order to find their mate. They will never have to impress them and then fight to keep them. These things that make life worth living are forever taken away from them. Why? Because their keepers “love” them. Because “it’s for their own good.” Because there’s no place left for them to go because people and institutions are too selfish to spend money on protecting wilderness that they may never personally see. What kind of love is that?

The difference between a big cat in the wild and a big cat in captivity is incredibly striking. It’s like looking at a prisoner of war compared to a mythical ancient greek warrior. In reality, these captive big cats are prisoners of war. Their homes are being destroyed, those of their kind continually being shot, poisoned, trapped, caged, sold, and shipped to foreign lands. Though they may be given “good food and water, adequate caging with adequate space” just like any half-civilized country would give their prisoners of war, that does not change the hard truth of their situation. You can tell from a glance at the muscle tone, the scars on the fur, the look in the eyes, the world of difference between a cat that has truly lived, and the shallow, “picture in a magazine”-type wild cat in a cage.

I do not advocate for a world without animals or a world without human contact with animals, but only for a world where people think not only about ourselves but for other species as well, where we actively restrain ourselves from destroying and dominating every last scrap of wild land and with it the livelihoods of wild animals.

The actual mechanics of caring for big cats is fairly simple compared to many other exotic animal species. It is something that a serious animal lover can learn readily without extensive schooling, etc. Give the cats good food and water, adequate caging with adequate space (and it really isn’t that much for big cats. Wolves, for instance require at least ten times the space of a lion to be happy and well adjusted) and some reasonable vet care, etc. Then, lavish the cat with love from you or others of its own kind. The result will be happy cats, and cats happy to carry on the job of propagating their kind just as well as their wild brethern. And the best part of all? They will lavish you with their love, and there is nothing that can substitute for lion love, tiger love, etc. in this entire world.

People who argue that the animals “should be wild” do so in bad faith, because there is no such thing as the wild. It’s going bye-bye. They argue about the danger and exaggerate its importance as part of an agenda to rid the world of the animals, not as part of any human safety agenda. Anyone should be able to figure that out when the same people that argue that animals are bad for humans also argue that humans are not good enough to live with animals.

In the U.S. alone, over 10,000 tigers reside not in accredited institutions with licensed professionals, but in private citizens’ backyards, basements and urban apartments – even more than remain in the wild. Since 2000, there have been over 190 incidents involving captive big cats and people resulting in 12 deaths, 89 injuries and 91 big cat escapes.

About 20 states already prohibit the private ownership of large cats, but others have only minimal restrictions, lenient permitting requirements or no laws at all. Every state should prohibit the ownership of big cats such as tigers and lions as pets. These dangerous, wild animals are unpredictable and require specialized care that the average person cannot give.

Our thoughts and prayers should go out to the Sousa family and all those effected by this tragedy.