Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright

THE GOOD NEWS is that the number of Tigers in India has increased by about thirty percent over the last few years, so that now there are about twenty two hundred, up from about fourteen hundred. This is evidently due to increased apprehension of poachers, the removal of humans from Tiger country, and a program to rescue and nurture Tiger cubs orphaned by mother-killing poachers. You might recall that over the last couple of decades, it had been widely believed that the magnificent species was headed for extinction. Unfortunately, only about seven percent of their original habitat remains. The price will be, in all likelihood, an increase in the number of Indians killed by tigers. It usually amounts to several hundred a year. Not bad though, when you consider that during the eighteenth century the British masters of India estimated that approximately three hundred thousand humans had been Tiger-killed. Humans are not the meal of choice for Bengal tigers, but are right behind hooved mammals. Once, when I was young and stupid, I went to a zoo where the animals were kept in large confined areas outside. It was a brutally hot summer afternoon, and the Tiger, in its very large enclosed area, was lying in peaceful repose right up against the iron bars, on its side, back against the bars. Closer I got...it must have sensed my presence, because when I got to within about five feet of the bars, baby rolled over on its back, with its paws in the air, like a cat wanting a belly rub. To this day I honestly believe baby wanted a belly rub. So, I obliged. Amazing what a couple of Budweisers'll do to a man's friendliness towards potentially dangerous animals. I began rubbing, and, honest to goodness, the sweet thing began to make a sort of purring noise. Its coat was surprisingly bristly and coarse; not at all soft and fuzzy. We're talking about a four hundred pound animal here, five feet long, minimum, head to butt. Its paws were four times the size of my smallish hands, and the bars were spaced far enough apart, yes, he could've taken a swipe at me, and done me in. Obviously, this was a tame beast who had experienced a good deal of positive contact with humans. Thus my mixed emotions about tigers in captivity. But thank the dear lord that we are now treating them properly, or at least beginning to.