Should The Tiger Die?

By Dr.Fourkan Ali

It's not everyday that someone argues for killing a species as grand as the tiger. But do not worry, I am not a poacher, or a delusional cornucopian that believes nature is a burden. In fact, I have contributed relentlessly to help save the tiger. Even more so, I do not believe the fight for tigers is being lost. Conservation efforts are widespread and frequent. However, I can't help believing that killing the tiger may be the best option available. You might be asking where I elicited such a radical thought, and it all starts after a volunteer service in my high school.
In recent past, I took part in a mandatory weeklong trip offered by my international high school, under the ICARE program. ICARE, which stands for "International Community Actively Responding to the Environment" is a program that distributes students to various locations in the Philippines that are in clamant need of facilitation. Students ranging from taciturn to rambunctious set aside differences to work collaboratively in order to improve the circumstances of such locations.
I was assigned to Bataan FPE, a small conservation site that has been committed, for years, in safeguarding turtle eggs and releasing baby turtles. Being a subsidiary of a conservation site located elsewhere, this centre was certainly exiguous in terms of resources and expanse. However, with the entrance heavily bombarded with cute pictures of turtles, and a small pool with two large turtles accompanying the scene, the site had done a commendable job in appearing inviting. To further sugar-coat the essence of hope and valour the site emanated, we were informed that the staff dedicated to this cause were former poachers, who, after being made aware of the issue, turned away from the illegal business.
Over the week I emptied a copious number of old turtle nests and am still haunted by the fetid smell and graphic visuals of semi-hatched eggs. I, along with the rest of the team assembled a concrete wall in order to shelter the location from "curious visitors" (a euphemistic term for poacher in case you couldn't catch it). I also released a baby turtle, eloquently named "speed molester" with the aid of my supervisor, due to the turtle's fervent paddling to reach the ocean once released.
However, these light-hearted moments were short-lived. On a night patrol, where we were in pursuit of turtles laying eggs, we stumbled upon a mother who had just finished doing so, and was hiding the nest. With immense anticipation, we started digging the nest, until we realized it was already robbed of its eggs by highly skilful poachers. We were too late. The occurrence disturbed me a lot more than I expected. Simply imagining a satisfied mother hiding her children, devoid of the knowledge that they had been stolen from right under her care, broke my heart to pieces. And with a similar thought in mind, a fellow philosophical classmate commented, "The fact that the actions of the poacher are justifiable simply goes to show what's wrong with the world."
Although I understood his point, I couldn't agree with him. After watching a mother's children being stolen from her right in front of my eyes, I truly understood the gravity of the situation. Even though I had learnt about the precarious situation turtle eggs hatch in, and how prevalent turtle egg poaching is multiple times, it was only at that moment when I had come to terms with the severity of such an issue.
With a philanthropic mind set and a newfound determination, I started pondering on the happenings of that night. And I came to the conclusion that, although the world is increasingly being introduced to poaching and its consequences, it hasn't been given enough incentive to take action. When a species is extinct, no one grieves, or experiences pain. No one endures the similar hollow feeling that occurs when a family, friend, or even acquaintance treads into oblivion. When a species becomes extinct, for 99% of the world, life goes on.
So, how can sufficient emotion be introduced to this problem? Not everyone has the misfortune (or fortune?) of experiencing the heart-wrenching tale of the benighted mother turtle. How can we stop people in their tracks, and have them really, truly, be affected by the issue at hand?
The answer is simple, we strip humans of something that they've lived with, grown up with, and idolized since the beginning of time. The unforeseen void will alarm many, and for weaker souls, instigate actual trauma. No, I am not talking about terrorism in the cause of Mother Nature. Instead, the first thing that comes to mind, is sacrifice, a quality viewed by many as conscientious, and frequently linked with martyrs.
Martyrs, present throughout prominent historical occurrences, have caused extensive change to the modern world. Jesus Christ himself, a martyr, introduced the world to the largest religion in the world. It's general knowledge that martyrdom is perceived with immeasurable respect, and effects change in the society. If we want to bring change in the animal world, then why not simply transfer martyrdom to the animals?
In a poll carried out by Animal Planet, the tiger was voted as the world's favourite animal. Further proving this point, the tiger is the national animal for several countries such as India and Malaysia. This magnificent species has amazed people throughout generations with its enticing stripes and astonishing physical capabilities. Primarily due to its grandeur, the tiger has played an important role in numerous cultures. In addition, it has been mentioned frequently in literature, such as in "Winnie the Pooh", "Calvin & Hobbes", and even "The Jungle Book." These accomplishments simply support the fact that the species, is undoubtedly one of the most, if not, the most influential animal in human history.
The tiger has also been represented spiritually by a lot of cultures. Its best-known spiritual representation is present in the Chinese Zodiac system, where it is one of the 12 animals that categorize all human beings. Linked with valour, power, and vitality, the tiger is held in high esteem. But a curious parallel is that these qualities embody the perfect soldier. A soldier ready to die for the greater good. A soldier, who's not afraid of martyrdom.
By now, the inference of the reader would have already kicked in, there's no point beating around the bush. So I ponder, what if the tiger becomes a martyr? Sacrificing itself for the greater good of all nature. As explained above, the tiger holds a strong grasp on society and culture. Consequently, its sudden disappearance would cripple the world, which would mourn for the fallen soldier, the soldier that was part of everyone's family. The unforeseen extinction of the tiger would leave Earth shattered.
This occurrence, or tragedy, would provide everyone with the same experience I underwent, when I saw the poaching of the turtle eggs. The previously absent personal connection between poaching of animals, and humans, would suddenly transform into newfound determination to solve the issue. The world will finally be able to fathom the consequences of poaching and extinction, instead of discarding them as mere hubbub. Some might argue that there will be possible environmental issues in local areas that tigers inhabited. This is true, however, if the tiger's sacrifice reinvigorates the efforts against poaching, then in the long run, the change will be beneficial.
The tiger would cease to live on in the physical realm, causing people to realize how poaching can be severely harmful for the world. Not only will this wake people up form the slumber of ignorance, it would also fill the world with the need to avenge the death of a tiger. These raw emotions would be transferred to murdering the murderer of the tiger, poaching. And, in effect, poaching will also cease to exist, solving the major issue for many other similar species, such as the whale, the rhinoceros and the elephant.
Of course, this scenario is based on a variety of assumptions, such as the fact that everyone would react similarly to how I reacted in my ICARE program. But, the possibility to permanently diminish a clamant issue such as poaching is simply an astonishing prospect. So ask yourself, should the tiger die? If it brings poaching other similarly endangered animals to a halt, then maybe it should.