The tiger species, scientifically known as Panthera Tigris, is listed as being endangered.

Occurring exclusively in Asia, their existence was threatened by population explosion. As urban living spread further towards forests, tigers’ habitat became smaller. In countries like Indonesia, tigers can only be seen in nature-reserves like Ujung Kulon and Betiri.

Bengal (Indian), Sumatran and Siberian tigers in particular are amongst the most sought after “prize” by hunters.

Once, their number was great that often people would encounter one by chance on the outskirts of populated areas; their native habitat.

The trend for tiger-hunting was first created by the elites. Like the maharajah in India, so they could rest their pampered feet on tiger-skin rugs, often with the heads still attached.

Their colonizer, especially the British aristocrats, thought nothing of commanding their native slaves to hunt Indian tigers, so they could emulate, often supersede, the maharajah’s riches.

They hung tigers’ heads on their trophy walls. Their ladies would fashion tiger skin into purses, handbags, shawls or ottomans.

Indeed, the popularity of owning such paraphernalia soared, that a single tiger-skin could fetch millions of rupees. This practice in turn would feed a local household of eight for an entire year.

In Siberia, locals would fashion tiger-skin into headwear, gloves, coats and boots; mainly to protect themselves against the onslaught of Siberian below zero and bitterly cold winter temperature.

In Sumatra, locals would slaughter with machetes or bamboo spear tigers that happened to roam too close to their farmyards. They did so to protect cattle and various farm animals from becoming the tigers’ prey.

In China, tiger body-parts are highly sought after for medicinal purposes.

While it makes sense if ground tiger-nails, containing keratin, can enhance hair growth for vain, balding middle-aged men, it’s hardly likely that tiger’s penis can actually enhance their performance in their marital-beds.

After the potent ginseng, Heaven knows whatever else has aphrodisiac properties. These men should try Sydney oysters. It works for some acquaintances of mine (their own admission)!

Almost everybody who has seen live or pictures of tigers, admires this mammal for its golden orange, yellow and black stripes, and its fixed stare displaying sharp and keen eyes.

A gemstone is named tiger-eye. The Chinese adore the mammal; they include it in their Chinese horoscope twelve symbols.

Indian folklore considers tigers as guardians of the jungle.

An Australian football-team is named after it.

A colour-pencil drawing of one adorns my entrance hall. I also use it in handmade greeting-cards.

Tigers are slow breeders; therefore their number began to dwindle rapidly in decades, due to unrealistic demands on tiger-skin globally.

As custodians of planet-earth, shall we remain silent and let it slip our conscience?

Lord Buddha says: “Every living thing great or small is there for a reason. It’s our duty to preserve our earth, wildlife and plant kingdom, so we can continue to enjoy its greatness and generosity for future generations”.

Please, don’t remain silent. Because … silence … is… deafening!