Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright
I love words. That is probably why I am an English teacher. There are a myriad of ways to communicate; through art, music, facial and body expressions, and touch. Words are the ultimate way to communicate, so that each person who hears them can create meaning. 'The Tiger' is a famous poem by William Blake. It is beautifully written, with that unforgettable cadence of words and rhythm that brings a tiger straight to the mind's eye.
It is not news that the tiger is in trouble. They are on the endangered list, along with so many others. If there is nobility in anything, surely there is nobility in the great creatures on our planet. I did a little research on the concept and definition of nobility. It describes the elite class of people who enjoy privilege because of their birth and station in life, but it also means a refusal to be enslaved.
That would definitely describe creatures of the wild who are captured, domesticated, trained, or otherwise exploited for our entertainment or use, but who still retain the ferocity of their natures. That we have full power over them is an illusion of our own making. At any moment, they may decide they've had enough, and take back the reins of power.
In the 1970s, the sanctuary began as the Carnivore Evolutionary Research Institute, founded by UNC geneticist, Dr. Michael Bleyman. He wanted to breed certain species that were keystone, critical to the survival of an ecosystem, and protect them until their habitats could support them again.
"In 2009, the organization changed its name to Carolina Tiger Rescue, reflecting its new mission and focus. Today, Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildcat sanctuary, whose mission is saving and protecting wildcats in captivity and in the wild. Carolina Tiger Rescue pursues its mission by providing lifelong homes to wildcats in need of rescue and educating the public about what threatens these animals: in the wild, in the pet trade, and in the entertainment industry."
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