BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Exotic Pets Adopt a Tiger Program - Your opinion?

A conservation initiative would allow ordinary people to adopt a tiger. Indonesian authorities stated they would monitor the program and that the animals would remain state property. The people adopting these tigers would have to go through a rigorous training program and pay a $100,000 deposit. With only approximately 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild � it is an interesting solution. But, is it the right solution? I would like your opinion.
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Well, I think 'adopting' any endangered species is good in theory, as long as the animals remain in their habitat. From what you wrote, Diana, it sounds like the people who adopt the tigers would be literally responsible for their care. If that's the case, then I completely disagree with this idea. But raising money to protect and care for them by 'adopting' them out... that I can get behind.

No, these tigers will be in these peoples homes. I will go search for the news article and link it.

Tiger Article

Correction that $100,000 is two animals

"A lot of businessmen have dead tigers in their houses. We hope that this program will eradicate poaching as a lot of people want to have tigers as pets."

--Darori, Director General of Forest Protection and Conservation

This is nothing more than a recipe for disaster. Bad idea.

The more I research the subject; I am not finding that it is limited to Indonesia. The very idea they could come up with a plan like this is frightening. It looks like a legal way for the rich to have a prize live trophy.

As always it comes back to money and power. I understand the intent - if people are going to pay to own a tiger it may as well be to help the tigers as well but I agree that this is a recipe for disaster - the first time a tiger kills someone the state will be held liable and that will be the end of that. The real solution is to come up with some sort of magic potion that turns people into less selfish power driven creatures and good luck with that.

A few years ago I read a book about tigers(wish I could remember the name!) that discussed the 4 situations that most tigers live in, and evaluated how happy the animals seemed.
1. In the wild. The author assumed that these would be happiest, although he could not study them directly.
2. In luxurious captivity, as in well managed zoos. These animals seemed bored, or showed slightly unbalanced behaviors, like excessive pacing.
3. In confined captivity, as in poorly managed zoos or in private homes. Many of these animals seemed almost deranged, showing obsessive behavior.
4. Performing animals. Surprisingly, these animals seemed quite happy. They were well cared for because they had to be in good condition to perform, and they showed every sign of enjoying their work; perking up when show time came, and eagerly doing the tricks. The author concluded that if a tiger HAS to be in captivity, the circus is the best option!
It was an interesting proposition to think about. What category do you think the "adopted" tigers would fall into?

No doubt number 3 "In confined captivity, as in poorly managed zoos or in private homes. Many of these animals seemed almost deranged, showing obsessive behavior"