Autumn 2014 Issue Four
TigerTime News The online magazine of the TigerTime Campaign
Project updates Supporter news Fabulous art and gifts that help save the tiger
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TigerTime clothing range TigerTime is a campaign run by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Reg Charity No 1106893
Welcome to TigerTime News Dear Supporter,
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Since the last edition of TigerTime News our grassroots conservation work has been continuing to protect tigers in India,Thailand and Russia. We have funded antipoaching teams, educational programmes, undercover investigations into wildlife crime, community outreach and alternative income projects ensuring that tigers and the people who share their landscapes have a sustainable, long-term future.
Vicky Flynn TigerTime Saba House 7 Kings Road Shalford, Guildford Surrey GU4 8JU
On the world stage we’ve been supporting the team fighting for tigers at the global meeting of CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species) and will continue to lobby and push for change through our call to ban the trade in tiger parts from all sources.
Tel: 01483 272323 Email: dswf@tigertime.info
Raising awareness and engaging wider audiences in the fight to save the wild tiger is one of our key objectives and since March our social media reach has been rising at a fantastic rate. We’ve increased Facebook likes by a staggering 965%, an additional 39,000 people have signed up to our call to ban the trade in tiger parts and another 4,600 have followed the campaign on twitter.
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You can read updates on all of this work in this edition of TigerTime News.
We’ve also been able to turn that support into something meaningful for tiger survival with our social media supporters helping us raise almost US$30,000 for tiger conservation through the ROAR Global Giving Campaign this autumn. www.facebook.com/TigerTimeNow
www.twitter.com/TigerTimeNow
It’s really exciting to see this growth but we will never stop striving for more. Time could be running out of the tiger in the wild and we are determined not to let wild populations decline - not on our watch and not with your help. In 2015 we’ll be pushing to engage the next generation of tiger lovers. Help us spread the word! Please keep supporting our work and thank you for everything you do for tigers.
TigerTime would like to thank Marks & Spencer for kindly sponsoring our website at www.tigertime.info
TigerTime is a campaign run by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation a registered UK Charity No: 1106893 TigerTime would like to thank all the photographers who donate their images, especially Michael Vickers, Suzi Eszterhas and Alan Seymour.
Join TigerTime by signing up at www.tigertime.info
Vicky
Vicky Flynn, Campaign Manager
s that ft i g d n a azing art m a tastic e n h t a f t e u o m o k s c Che here are T ! s r e g i t support ue ... s s i s i h t n i gift ideas FRONT COVER: TigerTime would like to say a HUGE thank you to photographer Suzi Eszterhas for the amazing images that she allows us to use to promote our work to save the tiger. Please visit her website: http://www.suzieszterhas.com/
Action
CHINA
No domestic ban on tiger skins TigerTime’s support of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), comes in two forms; generous funding and support on the political battlefield. Every campaign starts with solid information and that’s what EIA is all about; getting to the truth of the matter. EIA shares the goals of the TigerTime Campaign, calling for an end to the tiger trade, with a special focus on China where the legal trade in captive bred tiger parts is stimulating and perpetuating demand. Across Thailand, Laos and Vietnam corrupt captive tiger operations are also involved in illegal international trade. Fuelling this unfettered demand for luxury wildlife products, tiger farming has done nothing to stop the poaching of wild tigers. EIA’s 2013 report documenting the licensed trade in the skins of captive bred tigers in China prompted the Chinese government’s response that this trade is for non-commercial (scientific and educational) purposes only. But, investigators uncovered evidence that at least one of the taxidermists exposed in 2013 had been given permission to process 40 tigers since 2010. Hardly non-commercial in scale! Tiger skin rugs have no educational value and all the taxidermists met, who were licensed to process tiger skin, said that many of their customers are individuals looking for extravagant home décor.
EIA are pursuing every possible channel to get to the bottom of this. In July, findings and analysis were verified in an official report for the CITES Standing Committee. With nowhere to hide, China finally admitted in public that there is no domestic ban on the trade in tiger skin. Following intense discussions some very specific recommendations on tigers and Asian big cats were adopted at CITES; •
countries are to ensure their legislation prohibits domestic trade, including in parts of captive bred tigers; it requires those who are currently trading to report the scale of that trade;
•
it requires countries to report on the volume of existing stockpiles and requires them to destroy the bodies of deceased captive tigers.
Between now and January 2016 progress will be assessed by a working group which the UK and Indonesia were poised to offer to co-chair but China beat them to it. Will China take this opportunity to be professional, transparent and objective? Time will tell.
'A permit and a tiger skin rug in Xiafeng taxidermy, China © EIA'
Help us keep up the pressure and sign our petition to ban the trade in tiger parts from all sources - we need your voice for CITEs in 2016, before it’s too late. Go to www.bantigertrade.com
Join TigerTime by signing up at www.tigertime.info
Tiger Project news - how your help supports tiger conservation...
India
Anti-poaching, community outreach, education and undercover investigation
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Magic Moments in Kaziranga The tigers of Kaziranga, Assam are famous for a number of reasons; they are among the biggest in the Bengal tiger family and the most elusive. So, catching them on camera trap is usually the only way we get to see them … but sometimes, just sometimes, magic happens. Before the monsoon the TigerTime funded monitoring team set off on what they thought would be another routine ‘day in the office’. Binita, Munjali and Arif and their regular guard Mr Prodip Bora, set off to monitor the camera traps in the park and were soon welcomed by a one-horned Indian rhino mother and calf. Although extremely rare – Kaziranga is the last stronghold of the species – they can regularly be spotted grazing on the vast alluvium plains that make Kaziranga so rich in wildlife. Seeing the calf, however, was a real treat. The team take up the story: “We had already checked a few trap locations and downloaded the data from the cameras and, because of heavy rain in the night, had to carry out some maintenance to the cameras too. At 11’o’clock, as we approached one of
the anti-poaching camps, we saw a tiger on the other side of the river about 70m away. It was happily mud bathing. “As we watched, a second tiger came to the water. It was amazing. To see one Kaziranga tiger is incredible but to see two! And then a third appeared, took a drink then slipped back into the tall elephant grass on the river bank. Our hearts were thumping and we just kept staring at the two tigers that remained, unable to believe our luck. When they moved into the shade of the tall grass we couldn’t believe how incredible our morning had been.
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“While checking the cameras we continued to smile and think about our encounter. Yes this is Kaziranga, a place that sometimes allows us a glimpse into its beautiful soul, a place where you never know what is waiting for you. But to ensure that others too can witness these glimpses of magic we must continue to provide a safe and secure environment for tigers to survive and thrive and to make sure that future generations have these forests, these plains and these moments of pure magic.”
“Just as we thought we’d seen everything the third tiger returned and with him were two more grown up cubs. What a day!” The team had never seen anything like it; five Kaziranga tigers – a happy, healthy, tiger family living wild and free in one of the world’s most amazing landscapes. “We felt overwhelmed,” adds Binita. “We didn't want to leave the majestic scene but we had work to do and we left the tiger family to relax on the banks of the river surprised that an hour had passed!”
The team had never seen anything like it; five Kaziranga tigers – a happy, healthy, tiger family living wild and free in one of the world’s most amazing landscapes
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Tiger Project news
Thailand
Anti-poaching, community outreach, education and u
The intern’s tale
trees , century-old nks ic st e aj m re e pla wh I toured sites , some ending up piled in have d rs lle ge fe n n ra ild had bee hoda W s where Constance R e forest. orage facilitie in massive st being trafficked out of th made Name: Elosia ndon, UK. d r Lo seized lumbe e the problem at hand an the work Hometown: de ra T e lif r lif fo to ild t ct W e g: gh ational It brou Studyin l of resp ey are ation & Intern ole new leve ation and me feel a wh rangers do every day. Th d protect MSc Conserv rrell Institute of Conserv u ea protected ar front line to conserve an eir lives University: D ersity of Kent. e iv n th U n o at g and risk th workin Ecology s. these forests wiping out th f n o o y it M rs 3 e : iv ip d the bio Internsh oachers from ime funded the armed p p rT e e ig ke T e to th ternship at species. idea what Starting my in ation, Thailand I had no n wildlife endangered the heavy nd o Freeland Fou an MSc student focusing par t of and arduous, , in some t e w n e ft o e a e s Conditions ar y transform the landscap l streams to expect. A tastic opportunity to be n al tl fa an sm a st g is n in it rn rains co trade, roads and tu tting to some of ct tigers. t u te o ro g p in h to as rk w cases the wo is made ge y feet in g torrents. Th lt. n m gi d n ra u to fo I in , ks quite difficu st few wee ildlife the cameras During my fir anisation that works in w an rg in the a complex o d counter-trafficking as amme nist working io at rv se n co an fy wildlife gr As a budding ing; I learnt how to identi d conservation e Surviving Together pro tected an th az ro field was am acks, including tiger, dhole ural intern within igerTime. Focused on p T e tr nat y supported b ion in Eastern Thailand, th itoring of by scats and ar t of Thailand’s amazing ledge n p w at area conserv udes ranger training, mo utreach banteng - all nd and the rangers' kno ut cl o la ,b e in y st it re e n F va u m . is m ge am m ks herita progr e par and co th s e in ci h r e it w ge sp n s r e nitoring e ro ci of these spe each day through the mo tigers and oth projects are building a st d t an se more is learn o. projects. The tween the par ks, rangers ther to e ge to b to ip e n sh n o o ry ve programme relati ies bringing e in Thailand. it n ks and u m m co l loca ent tiger trac of-Paris abitat h in ir m e ro th p d d te an n We docume casts. Made with plaster- create protect tigers e th er to to t si vi ld created plast normally used by par ks ne’s I ed a fie in jo I k e e w e o re e these casts ar rd of tiger presence. The rather In my second in Eastern Thailand wh g as in co e at a physical re however are for someth summer protected ar s. It was a gre beauty rk o w r e t th x e e helped creat erTime is planning for n Surviving Toge see the amazing natural atrol p ig special that T ace! experience to d meet the field staff and out ab sp an t n d n ar la le I ai . h it T - watch this of tect ro p to at rk o th s w analysed, rangers who g and monitoring system chinese gkok data is rters of an B in e ic o in ff d p o Back in the mpiled to inform suppo camera-trap t some of the last wild In ers, e n th e t m u o cu s are co o gh ld with par tn rt d e u o h p ro e re th help ar p u gs t n ti e, mee ed, it is ras are se see what progress mad the hiking boots have dri tigers. Came g the staff to in so w al lo s al ap as tr n e e protected ar sent. Sadly, these camera past year, and, just wh em up again. th re e time to lace species are p ing activity which, over th nter the that e h rs ac iverse work oache d p e re th capture po o t m u o as ab rapidly much to work I’ve learnt so and how important it is ild and has increased of Siamese rosewood. s ch e ar o ; to bu Freeland d forest in se area rangers nd’s natural d e ct g te in n ro p ai tr h ing with tect Thaila closely wit included help ss the region. pacity to pro d the work that ca ip tr ir e y th m f n o ai t st ro su Par d an ngers from ac portant hout Freelan a very heritage. Wit rangers do it would be gered courses for ra rcement skills is more im y e fo kl in n d ic tl e n u e an q these fron Improving rs and other poaching has s that these ge d ti o r o fo w se ry o o R challenge different st than ever. of the biggest ing this rare tree . e n o e m co e species here b reaten th n ly n ve o E . t e o lif n and all its ild par ks face and other w rs being to TigerTime keep the rs u ge yo ti k so an al th t e So a huge species, bu helping to med poach pporters for rests safer. sit we saw ar y rangers on patrol. vi su y s u m ro g e n n ri u ge d b fo of the forest ded and the projects fun brought out
undercover investigation
“The tiger track plaster casts I helped make are for something very special�
Raising awareness for Amur tigers Art and action have come together in Russia this year to help raise awareness for the Amur tiger. In the summer, to tie in with International Tiger Day, young wildlife artists sent more than 2,000 paintings of Amur tigers and leopards to the TigerTime supported Phoenix Fund for its ninth annual drawing competition. The winning entries have been made into wall and pocket calendars and are being sold to help raise funds and awareness.
2014 represents the 15th anniversary of the colourful ‘Tiger Day’ festival designed to raise awareness of the importance of the Amur tiger to biodiversity in the Russian Far East. For the first time ever it was held over two days.
The last weekend of September also welcomed a spectacular display in Vladivostok, the capital of Primorsky province, Russia, in support of the Amur tiger.
“We now have to turn this passion into action and work hard at funding anti-poaching and park protection as well as campaigning for an end to the trade in tiger parts,” said TigerTime manager, Vicky Flynn
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Thousands took to the streets in a colourful parade demonstrating the concern and affection Russians have for their tigers.
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Russia
Anti-poaching and educational awareness to protect the Amur tiger
Five go wild in Russia Earlier this year the biggest ever release of rehabilitated Amur tigers took place in the Russian Far East when five of the rare cats were returned to the wild.This incredible event was made possible thanks to people from all over the world including those who made donations for the animals’ food and medication. “Human animal conflict is increasing as people continue to expand into or destroy wildlife habitat,” explains Project Director, Sergei Bereznuk. “In most cases when humans and wildlife collide sadly it’s the wildlife that suffers, leaving adults dead and their cubs orphaned. Rescue and rehabilitation gives these wild cats a second chance to live free in their natural habitat.” In May, after a long rehabilitation period the first three Amur tigers were released into the wild in Zhelundindsky Wildlife Refuge, in the north-western part of the Amur tiger range with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in attendance. Two tiger brothers, Kuzya and Borya, together with their sister Businka had been found in November 2012. Extremely emaciated, frostbitten and unable to survive on their own in the wild, they were taken to a rehabilitation centre in Primorsky Krai. Sadly, the tigress died after succumbing to Feline calicivirus disease. Ilona, the third tiger to be released was found in February 2013 when she was six or seven months old. Before their release Kuzya, Borya and Ilona were given a full health-check and fitted with satellite collars to allow rangers and scientists to monitor their movements. In June, the remaining two cubs Svetlaya and Ustin left the rehabilitation centre for release into the north of the Jewish Autonomous Region, a 1,200km nonstop drive followed by an all-terrain vehicle ride into the Zhuravliny Wildlife Refuge. At dusk, the cages were set down far from human settlements in an area rich in wild boar and deer. “Monitoring of all five tigers is now ongoing,” says Sergei. “And the good news is that the satellite data shows they have adapted successfully and are now enjoying their freedom.” Although Kuzya was one of the most cautious tigers, after the release he moved off alone and within the first two months covered over 200km. Initial worries about his ability to hunt successfully were put to rest when remains of a large boar were found near him. Svetlaya and Ustin stayed together for a while before separating and slowly establishing their own territories. None of the five tigers have strayed near human settlements. “We are delighted that these tigers have been successfully returned to the wild. They represent such vital diversity in the Amur tiger population that is estimated at fewer than 500. Phoenix would like to thank everyone who contributed to the tigers rehabilitation through TigerTime. Your support means that the tigers now have the chance of a long and happy life,” adds Sergei.
PUTIN’S TIGER In October, one of the tigers that Vladamir Putin’s helped release ‘Kuzya’ (pictured above) was tracked crossing the border from Russia into China setting off a wave of panic among Chinese authorities keen to protect the tiger from poachers. Snares were removed and a state of high alert was put into force. For Kuzya, like all tigers, borders are meaningless and he is simply following his instinct to find and establish a new territory. Let’s hope that China keeps Kuzya safe as well as the tiny pocket of Amur tigers that live along the Russo-Chinese border and that Kuzya helps establish a new population of these rare tigers.
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‘Kai’
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for TigerTime Artist Richard Symonds has teamed up with TigerTime for a unique fundraiser to help save tigers in the wild. A life-long fan of wildlife artist and founder of TigerTime , David Shepherd CBE, Richard is embarking on an exciting partnership that will culminate in an amazing one-off work of art to be unveiled at London’s Mall Galleries next summer. “There is something so incredibly beautiful about the tiger that the thought of them being threatened with extinction in the wild is a real incentive to do something to reverse the decline,” says Richard. “I’ve followed David Shepherd’s work, both as an artist and a conservationist and have been inspired to do what I can to help.” Warming up to the main event next summer, Richard will be producing a series of tiger images with the originals and limited editions being sold to help fund vital conservation work in Thailand, Russia and India to help save the tiger in the wild.
“Motivating people to act is what TigerTime is all about,” says campaign manager, Vicky Flynn. “We fundraise to support vital conservation, education, community outreach and undercover work across tiger range countries and have mobilized a huge following through social media with hundreds of people signing up to our campaign to ban the trade in tiger parts every day. With art very much at the heart of what we do, Richard’s idea fits perfectly into what we do.” The first of Richard’s tiger portraits ‘Kai’ is now available on his website at http://www.richardsymonds. co.uk/#!product/prd12/2840573301/’kai’-(tiger-time) or direct from the DSWF Gallery in at 7 Kings Road, Shalford, GU4 8JU, UK. Keeping tight-lipped about the work that will be unveiled next summer Richard hinted that its rarity will be a real collector’s item.
‘KAI’ by Richard Symonds Original £3,200 Beautiful pencil drawing supporting the work of our TigerTime campaign Also Available: Giclee limited edition prints of 195 signed and numbered by the artist Large (56x42cm) £125 Medium (28x40cm) £80 BUY HERE http://www.richardsymonds. co.uk/#!product/prd12/2840573301/’kai’-(tiger-time)
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Day 6
Artist Richard Symonds delivers the ‘Kai’ original to TigerTime’s Vicky Flynn
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Simply e h click t find to e g a m i and e r o m out ne i l n o y bu
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Is it Beetle? by Emily Lamb ÂŁ50 plus p&p Join TigerTime by signing up at www.tigertime.info
A percentage of every purchase you make contribu
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utes to our work to save the tiger in the wild. It’s a great way to shop while supporting an amazing cause!
Winter’s Embrace by Nathan Bye £35 plus p&p
Burning Bright by Catherine Ingleby £65 plus p&p
Tiger pencil sketch £15 plus p&p
Sketch for the Tiger £80 plus p&p DONATE to save the tiger: http://bit.ly/TigerTimeDonate
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HOW YOU CAN HELP SAVE THE TIGER
FUNdraise for TigerTime! TigerTime supporters from across the globe are helping raise much needed funds for our tiger protection programmes through some great local fundraising events!
THANK YOU TO... Neil MacGregor who has raised a fantastic £2,260 for TigerTime by giving up alcohol for a year! Sam Jones for her sponsored silence for tigers. Val Green for her red carpet extravaganza event that raised £1,066.
Not only are they supporting these vital protection measures, but also having a fantastic time! Download the pack for lots of information to help get your fundraising event up and running! http://tigertime.info/take-action/fundraising-form
YOU CAN HELP SAVE THE TIGER!
A Birthday Gift for Tigers Huge thank you to Natasha and Olivia Ward who asked for money to help tigers instead of birthday presents and donated over £60 to TigerTime. We think that’s a grrrreat idea!
Visit our website for up-to-date news on tigers from around the world and to find out how you can get involved
www.tigertime.info
SIGN UP TO SAVE THE TIGER Please lend your voice to our campaign to end the trade in tiger parts from all sources. It costs nothing but a few moments of your time and enables us to fight for the tiger on the world stage. The more sign-ups we have the more power we have. To sign up go to: www.bantigertrade.com
Give us a text! There is an easy way to donate to help save the wild tiger! Send us a text saying “Tigr11 £10” to 70070. Available in the UK only. You can also donate £5 in the same way.
Thank you
DONATE to save the tiger: http://bit.ly/TigerTimeDonate
Exclusive Emily Lamb scarves available now! We are delighted to showcase these beautiful scarves designed by artist Emily Lamb. Made in 100% superfine finished cotton voile with hand rolled edges, 40% of the sale goes to the Foundation to support our work to save endangered wildlife. Emily Lamb is David Shepherd’s eldest grandchild and is following in the footsteps of her illustrious grandfather using her art to support conservation.
You can buy the scarves direct from ‘This Way to Heaven’ at http://www.thiswaytoheaven.com/heavenshop/40-tiger-lines-lungi-scarf-by-emily-lamb
‘Delta’ featuring an iconic elephant image is 240x140cm and £150 ‘Tiger Lines’ is 180x95cm and £95
ADOPT ZHORIK Adopting a tiger really can make the difference between life and death, not just for the animal you adopt but for all their cousins in the wild too. Adopt Zhorik our lovely rescued Amur tiger and help support him and our work to save the wild tiger. Without your help now, there may be no future for the tiger in the wild. It’s so easy to adopt simply call +44 (0)1483 272323 or click the link:
http://www.davidshepherd.org/help-us/adopt/detail. php?id=0000000004
Christmas cards Tenuous by Sevina Yates Ten cards with envelopes featuring the greeting: With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Card size 210mm x 990mm. £4.50 per pack, plus p&p, please see below. Postage and packing for cards and notelets: £2.95 for five packs and under. Please call 01483 443852 for postage rates over five packs and for overseas orders.
Help us save the tiger
Please donate to help us fund our vital tiger field projects in India, Thailand and Russia. The tiger is in a desperate situation - we need your help to keep tigers safe and living in the wild where they belong.
Donate: http://www.davidshepherd.org/help-us/tiger-time/donate/
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g n u o y r o f g n i h t e m So s r e v o l tiger Join
For young tiger lovers
I get to meet lots of amazing animals around the world for my UK, TV show, Andy’s Wild Adventures, so it’s great to be involved with TigerTime who work hard to protect endangered wildlife. Tigers are one of my favourite animals and, like elephants and rhinos, they play a very important role in their environment. If they disappear lots of other species of plant and animal will also be affected. If you love tigers too why not join me and sign up to CubClub, part of theTigerTime campaign specifically for children, to ensure the future of tigers in the wild? Find lots of tiger facts, fun and more at www.cubclub.tigertime.info I’m heading off on my next wild adventure soon but I’ll be back next time! Thank you for being part of the TigerTime team and helping to protect our world’s wildlife and their habitats.
Andy Day
Join in the Halloween fun with TigerTime and CubClub download our scary tiger facts poster and take part in our pumpkin competition. More details at: http://cubclub.tigertime.info/blog/20/99/CompetitionFREE-download-Get-in-the-Halloween-spirit-withCubClub
NEW POSTERS FREE TO DOWNLOAD Discover more about endangered tigers with our fabulous new tiger fact poster. Full of interesting facts you can download it FREE on our CubClub website at:
http://cubclub.tigertime.info/ tiger-facts
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Your chance to grab a TigerTime bargain and help save tigers! Choose from a selection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces and accessories.
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http://tigertime.isenterprises.co.uk/index.php
Please keep supporting our work by lending your voice to save the tiger in the wild
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Sultan photographed by Alan Seymour in Ranthambhore National Park
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