Beth C.
Written on Jan 11, 2015
Conservation - it should be so simple, shouldn't it? When there are reams of data, a majority of followers, and a species clearly in decline, then what more needs to be said? 'Blood of the Tiger' lays bare the inner workings of tiger conservation, and explains - in great detail - China's role in the potential extinction of multiple species.
The book reads like a suspense novel, though the drama is far too real. It is written extremely well, and flows more like fiction than non-fiction. It demonstrates the politics and egos involved in conservation at every level. It shows the sad truth that, far too often, those tasked with helping are perfectly capable of hindering because of their refusal to work together. And most importantly, it illustrates that - more than any other country - China stands to benefit not only from the parts of these animals, but *from having none left in the wild*. That's right. Some are literally banking on the fact that these majestic tigers, among other animals, may no longer survive in the wild.
Starting from bears and how they are kept caged and "milked" for the bile from their gall bladders, Mills explains how she came to love tigers and how China has created "farms" of them specifically to provide bones, skins, and pieces to the commercial market. Tiger bone wine, anyone? This is China's answer to "conservation", and is sanctioned (in defiance of treaties) by some of the highest levels. Reading this book was heart-wrenching, infuriating and sickening...all at the same time. In fact, I think I'm still sort of numbed by what I read.
Everyone should know of this, and should read this. Not only is it a window into how politicized conservation is, but it is a glimpse of how China has become the power that they are and the levels they will go to in order to remain that way...and to *get* their way. If you have a soft spot for the wild tiger, or respect for their majesty, read this book. If you don't understand why one thing is often said but something else happens in the conservation world, read this book. If you're curious about China even a little - read this book. Frankly, just read this book. And then pass it along to another, and another. Because the only way that change will happen is when one voice multiplies so that it becomes a chorus, all crying out for that change.
The book reads like a suspense novel, though the drama is far too real. It is written extremely well, and flows more like fiction than non-fiction. It demonstrates the politics and egos involved in conservation at every level. It shows the sad truth that, far too often, those tasked with helping are perfectly capable of hindering because of their refusal to work together. And most importantly, it illustrates that - more than any other country - China stands to benefit not only from the parts of these animals, but *from having none left in the wild*. That's right. Some are literally banking on the fact that these majestic tigers, among other animals, may no longer survive in the wild.
Starting from bears and how they are kept caged and "milked" for the bile from their gall bladders, Mills explains how she came to love tigers and how China has created "farms" of them specifically to provide bones, skins, and pieces to the commercial market. Tiger bone wine, anyone? This is China's answer to "conservation", and is sanctioned (in defiance of treaties) by some of the highest levels. Reading this book was heart-wrenching, infuriating and sickening...all at the same time. In fact, I think I'm still sort of numbed by what I read.
Everyone should know of this, and should read this. Not only is it a window into how politicized conservation is, but it is a glimpse of how China has become the power that they are and the levels they will go to in order to remain that way...and to *get* their way. If you have a soft spot for the wild tiger, or respect for their majesty, read this book. If you don't understand why one thing is often said but something else happens in the conservation world, read this book. If you're curious about China even a little - read this book. Frankly, just read this book. And then pass it along to another, and another. Because the only way that change will happen is when one voice multiplies so that it becomes a chorus, all crying out for that change.