Recently I saw some tweets from Sam Fox (ex glamour model, actress and international singer / songwriter) about the fact that in our lifetime we could see the extinction of the amazing tiger. I cannot even get my head around the fact that there might be none of these amazing animals left in the wild soleley due to ‘man’.
Sam Fox is representing a cause called Tiger Time and even lobbied parliment to raise awareness about the plight of the tiger. A look through the website shows that many top international celebrities and personalities have also become involved in trying to save the tiger.
Celebrities in Marbella were lucky enough to interview Sam Fox about Tiger Time (and of course a tip for the contestants about to head to the jungle for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
Please please all share this interview on your Facbook pages and Twitter accounts and ask your friends to share and retweet so that we can save the tiger from extinction.
1. What originally brought your attention to the impending extinction of the Tiger and the cause Tiger Time?
This is definitely the age of social media, and I picked it up on Twitter. I could not believe how bad things were for the wild tiger, and we had to do something and be involved. A man called Peter Carroll from TigerTime got back to me, and it all went from there really. We all have to do what we can to save this beautiful iconic animal. I want my nieces and nephews to grow up knowing there are wild tigers out there, and they won’t have to watch films of them in history programmes. I don’t want to explain to them that there are no tigers left in the wild because people were too busy to stop them dying out.
2. I saw that you went to parliament on 26th October 2011 to lobby about the cause. How did that go?
Really well, we all had a great day. We had MPs and members of the House of Lords who came to support our cause. We have support from Tessa Munt MP who is tabling a motion in the House of Commons for a full debate, and to ask the British Government to work with the Chinese authorities and other bodies to stop the killing. Its politicians that will make the decisions on how to stop this; and in the meantime, all of us at TigerTime will do our best to physically protect the wild tiger. So much of this depends on how much support people can give us. Have a look at http://www.tigertime.info and see what you can do to help me.
3. I cannot believe there are only 3200 tigers left in wild and that they could be extinct within 20 years if we don’t all act now. What can people do to help you help the tiger?
They will be extinct within 4 or 5 years if we don’t act now. With the numbers of wild tigers going down every week, there won’t be enough left to breed successfully, and there is no going back from this point.
We need millions of signatures from all over the world; after all, this is a World movement. If Governments can see the numbers who support the wild tiger, they will listen. I need everyone to sign up and give us your name by signing the petition, and if you are in a position to make a donation, this would be fantastic. We need to fund anti- poaching patrols with jeeps, walkie talkies, mobile phones, tents, binoculars, trained dogs, and a host of other equipment to enable these brave people to save the tiger for all of us. You can also buy TigerTime products for Christmas presents. Go on, you know you want to, it makes sense, and help me save the wild tiger.
4. Who founded Tiger Time and has it had an impact yet?
I met David Shepherd, the artist and conservationist about 20 years ago in South Africa. When David was born 80 years ago there were 100,000 wild tigers in the world. Over his lifetime, this has dwindled to 3,200. David has made it his life’s ambition to save the wild tiger, and through his organisation, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, TigerTime was born.
TigerTime was set up just a few months ago, and we already have 20,000 supporters on line, and over 30 celebrities who are supporting the campaign.
We have funded a specially trained poaching patrol dog, and this is just the start.
5. I notice quite a few celebrities (like you) are involved. Can you share some of their names with us?
Of course I can. Sir Paul McCartney is backing us, and how fantastic is this. We have Ricky Jervais, Stephen Fry, Sir Roger Moore, Joanna Lumley, Susan Sarandon, Paula Abdul, Joan Jett and many more.
6. Why is it important to the environment and their local habitat that we save this beautiful animal?
This isn’t just about Tigers, It’s also about people. If you lose the wild tiger, the loggers will move in and you lose the rain forests. If you lose the rain forests, the local people will lose their rainfall. Without the rainfall, local people will lose their crops, their livelihoods, and their food. So, protecting the wild tiger is protecting their future, and their children’s future
7. This will shock a few readers but please tells us why these animals are killed?
You’re right, it is shocking. In this day and age, how can anyone believe that using parts of a tiger in medicines can enhance their virility? Viagra seems a better way forward to me. Tiger bones are used in Chinese medicines, with no benefit to the person at all. Wine is made from tiger bones, why? Aren’t there enough grapes in the World. Their skins are used as trophies, hung on walls or draped on floors, and how anyone could ever think of wearing a coat made from a tiger skin I do not know. Please help us to stop this happening. The way these tigers meet their end is also harrowing and shocking. Some are poisoned, as this does not damage the skin, or trapped in snairs for days on end before they are killed.
What does this say about mankind when we treat animals in this way.
8. Finally it’s nearly time for another Celebrity Get Me Out of Here (no tigers in that jungle of course). As a contestant back in 2009 what single most important bit of advice would you give this year’s celebs?
Before you put your boots on in the morning – Bang them together and shake them!! Just in case an unwanted guest has crept in at night!!
Recent BBC Interview with Sam Fox about the tigers plight