Student - 28

Summary:

• Tigers are endangered species, and the Siberian tiger is almost extinct, with only 150-200 existing in the wild. There were 8 different subspecies of tigers in the past, including the Caspian tiger, who formerly inhabited areas of the Middle East, but is now extinct. There are only 5 subspecies that remain.
• Poachers are paid a mere fifty dollars for slaying a tiger, while the merchant that sells the tiger could earn up to 70,000 dollars for its fur (in Western cultures), and its bones and organs, such as penis, for medicinal purposes (in Eastern cultures, such as china). Tigers are not only being shot. Their very habitat is being destroyed.
• Tiger reserves protect the tigers to a certain extent, and preserve their homeland. Places other big cats live, such as the Amazon for the jaguar, are being destroyed rapidly by slash-and-burn methods of farmers and cattle ranchers, as well as those in need of wood for housing and fuel. India�s human population grow rate is high, and with it comes the need for more homes and land.

Opinion:

Anthony Marr is a meticulous and educating speaker. I had been told about the destruction of the rainforest and the poverty that plagues third world countries previously, but never had been as compelled to do something about it as when Mr. Marr spoke to us. He displayed a genuine passion and sense of concern for not only the preservation of our earth and its great creatures, such as the tiger, but for the education and thus, improvement of primitive and poverty-stricken civilizations. I found it very admirable that Mr. Marr divides his time between speaking on the issues at hand, as well as doing something about them.

Although Mr. Marr spoke for a large amount of time, he kept my attention with his witty jokes and comments, interesting stories and vivid slides. He had an impressive and immense amount of knowledge about tigers and various cultures, as well as direct facts on things like how many cows the U.S. alone consumes in one year (35 million). I would have liked for us to have more time for questions afterward, and I found it ironic that the class that did have time to do so did not take advantage of it.

Mr. Marr was extremely inspiring in the sense that I want to get more involved with global issues and do my part to help worldwide, as opposed to only taking part in local charities or issues. He made other people�s unfortunate (to say the least) living conditions very real to me and also made me realize how lucky I am to have things such as a stove or clean water or medicine, things that I definitely take for granted. I hope Mr. Marr continues to assist in educating people on the issues, as well as solve them, and I wish him the best of luck in doing so. I too believe that one person can make a difference, and I hope to one day travel and help people the way Mr. Marr is doing.
 

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