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I Hate My Life 
Image by Little Lioness While the white or golden tabby coloration of these animals may be pretty, what the zoos won't tell you is that, in reality, it's a deadly genetic mutation. THEY ARE NOT A SUBSPECIES, and are not albino. The white gene is a double-recessive one caused mostly by inbreeding (in a natural mating, there is only a one in 10,000 chance that a tiger will be white), which is why they say that it exists 'only in captivity'. Zoos are not willing to wait for this one in 10,000 miracle tiger, and so find that the only other way to produce them is through inbreeding. Even though it does happen naturally in the wild that tigers can be born white, there are many reports of wild tiger mothers attempting to smother their white cubs to death, because the coloration also makes the tigers more visible to prey. In a natural setting, white tigers and golden tabby tigers would starve to death, or die of other complications. This maternal behavior is noted even today in zoos, and often, white tigers must be taken from their mothers immediately after birth. The Singapore Zoo reported that one of their mother tigers refused to nurse her white cubs, so handlers had to raise the infant tiger themselves. As further proof, white and golden tigers ARE NOT managed by the Species Survival Plan, under the following reasons: 1) the Indian Zoo Association is responsible for managing the Bengal tiger, along with the European EEP; 2) most white tigers are of unknown lineage; and 3) because the SSP is based upon maximizing genetic diversity. Selective breeding of an extremely rare allele for white coloration is not appropriate. According to Dr. Ron Tilson, Conservation Director of the Minnesota Zoo and manager of the world renown Tiger Species Survival Plan, "The white tiger controversy among zoos is a small part ethics and a large part economics. The tiger Species Survival Plan has condemned breeding white tigers because of their mixed ancestry, most have been hybridized with other subspecies and are of unknown lineage, and because they serve no conservation purpose. Owners of white tigers say they are popular exhibit animals and increase zoo attendance and revenues as well. The same rationalization can be applied to the selective propagation of white lions, king cheetahs and other phenotypically aberrant animals." What Dr. Tilson didn't fully understand was that the inbreeding went even beyond the Bengal tiger bloodline. To make white tigers even more visually-appealing to the public, they were cross-bred with Siberian tigers, which, according to information released by Daniel C. Laughlin, a widely-recognized manager of zoological animals, makes "white tigers in the U.S. crossbred or hybrid animals, part Siberian and part Bengal. So, in conclusion, every white tiger in the U.S. is not only the result of repeated inbreeding of genetically defective animals but, even worse, is a hybrid or crossbred animal. Thus, anyone involved in breeding and/or exhibiting white tigers is doing a great disservice to honest conservation and preservation efforts to save the five remaining and endangered subspecies of tigers barely clinging to survival in their rapidly diminishing natural habitats." But it gets worse: Laws in the United States actually allow people to own tigers as pets under the condition that they have a permit. Since a white tiger cub can sell for an average of ,000, people are creating these cats through inbreeding in captivity without any professional background or knowledge. According to some sources, 80 percent of these white cubs die. Surviving cubs often have a range of problems including immune system deficiencies, scoliosis, cleft palates, mental impairments and/or bulging, crossed eyes. (Source: www.itsyourtimes.com/?q=node/2647 ) Also, ALL WHITE TIGER ARE CROSS-EYED, even if it is not readily apparent. This is because the gene which makes them white also messes up the way their eyes are wired to their brains. Other deformities include serious dental problems and deformed bone structure. Mental issues are probably the most common result (I watched at a roadside zoo here in Oregon as a white tiger licked a concrete wall until its tongue bled). Gnawing on fences or enclosure walls, pacing and constant salivation are other sure signs that the cat you are looking at suffers from the affects of its unfortunate ancestry. Often, you will see photos of white tigers being fed milk from baby bottles, or sucking on their trainer's fingers during performances. Biologists believe that this a sign of prolonged stress in the animal, and that it has regressed back to acting like a dependent cub. This is not healthy and should NOT be encouraged. Over all, it's a sad issue which is not being noted by the public enough to end it. Most zoos and safari parks won't even tell you about the inbreeding issue, or will claim that their white tigers were a 'natural' occurrence. But there have been no 'natural' white tiger births since 1951. What these establishments are doing is wrong and immoral, and lying to the public about their tigers (or at least withholding the information from the public) shows quite obviously that they are not in it for the animals; they are in it for the money. Deliberately breeding an animal in the knowledge that its life will be unnecessarily painful is cruel, and is a practice that should have no place in modern animal care. White and golden tabby tigers are merely a product of the practice of inbreeding, and are not being bred for any sort of conservation program, regardless of what various zoos and other establishments claim. The Endangered Species Act does not classify golden tabby or white tigers as under threat; they are instead classified as a genetic variant. Tinkering with their genes in order to ‘improve’ them is just an act of vanity on the part of humans. THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO TO HELP: Inquire at your local zoo as to where they got their white tigers, and let them know that you are aware of the issue noted above. Also, avoid roadside zoos which house white tigers, as these establishments are the most at fault for the inbreeding. But above all, education is the best means of helping the unfortunate plight of white tigers. Spreading the word of the inbreeding will make more people aware of the unfortunate plight. For more information, visit: 1) www.bigcatrescue.org/cats/wild/white_tigers.htm 2) www.animalsvoice.com/edits/editorial/news/invest/siegfrie... 3) www.animalcorner.co.uk/rainforests/bengalwhite.html 4) lists.envirolink.org/pipermail/ar-news/Week-of-Mon-200310... 5) peaceriverrefuge.org/Tiger.html Sites where this image has been used for education: 1) www.felinest.com/white-tigers-are-not-natural/ 2) winddanncer.today.com/ Other sites of interest: 1) www.buzzinbizarre.co.uk/behind-the-breeding-of-the-white-...
Help a Single Father to see his daughter again and keep his two American Pitbull Terriers at the same time ... Please help Fight BSL discrimination NOW 
Image by Beverly & Pack Website about this issue: www.chako.org/durbin.html Hello All, Some of you may know already and some may not, but here is my story as it relates to BSL and my daughter, my dogs, and my life. I have been going through a custody case for over 5 years, not that is what this email is about, but it gives a background. My daughter's mother has used many excuses to try to prevent my visitation and custody and had eventually found one that stuck - my ownership of two American Pit Bull Terriers. 3 years ago, Judge Cynthia Sanderson of McCracken County, KY ordered to me keep my dogs away from my daughter while I have visitation. Reluctantly, I followed that order to the best of my ability although I had to go to court approximately 6 more times to explain it. This past January, I was told "for the last and final time" to keep my daughter away from my dogs or face jail time and/or loss of visitation. This past Easter, which also was the last time I have seen my daughter, my five-year old beautiful daughter, cops were sent to my house along with my daughter's mother very late in the evening claiming I was in violation of several orders, one of which of course was allowing the dogs around my daughter. My daughter was asleep in the bed while I fed my dogs. The police came in, and even reported that the dogs and my daughter were nowhere near each other, nor had they even had a remote chance of being near each other (doors closed, rooms separated, etc). Upon taking my daughter back to her mother's two days later, she revoked my visitation claiming "endangerment" . I have not seen my baby since. This past Friday, September 18th, 2009, I appeared once again before Hon. Judge Cynthia Sanderson with a legal aid attorney (I have lost a LOT of money through this ordeal), and was eventually told, AFTER showing evidence of no wrongdoing, compliance with the order, and various testimonies to prove that, I was told by the judge "I am not a dog person...I don't care what you do. Get rid of these dogs or put them down. Bring me an affidavit that you have done one or the other, and you can see your daughter again." When I said once again that I will not even have the dogs at my home anymore when I have my visitation, I was told, "If I find out that you have the dogs at your home even after your daughter has left, I will put you in jail for 6 months. I am very serious about this. I am not a dog person." This is absurd. I can get on my soapbox about several others rights violations but that is not the purpose of this email. The purpose of this email is to explain and ask why a person has to give up his/her rights to have companions, to own property, EVEN WHEN the child in question is not present, just to be a father to his child. My dogs, APBTs, have had training, evaluations, and have never shown any history of violence or aggression, and in fact, were evaluated to be very gentle and loving dogs, especially with children. 3 years ago, I showed these FACTS, and these FACTS were not even looked at. All that could be said that I was endangering my daughter, and how could I do that, etc etc...I was told by Brian Katz, an attorney in McCracken County, that I was unfit to be a parent because of having two APBTs. I cannot begin to describe my hurt. Not only have I not seen my daughter for almost 6 months because of this absurdity, I have lost nearly everything of value in this situation. PLEASE do not think that this is an issue of the importance of my daughter versus my dogs, that would be an insult. My daughter is my LIFE, but on average I am lucky to see her 100 days out of the year. The issue is that I am told my other companions are to be taken away or KILLED (simply because of breed); I am being told what I can and cannot do with my property. I am being told that I CANNOT RAISE MY DAUGHTER EFFICIENTLY BECAUSE I HAVE TWO APBTs. My next step is to file a motion to amend this order, and my attorney, as gracious as she is, does not think there is any hope in that. I, for one, think that there is not a God in Heaven that would allow something like this to happen - to terminate my companions and my relationship with them, both my daughter AND my dogs. After that is the appeals process, which can take months and even years. I do not want to lose my companions. I do not want to lose my daughter, and I do not want to lose my four-legged children when my daughter is not there. As silly as it sounds, these dogs have gotten me through a lot more than any human can ever do. My daughter gives me something to live and work for, and when she isnt there, my other babies gives me something to come home to. I cannot begin to describe the feeling I get when I have had a bad day missing my daughter or even at work and to come home to see two smiling perfect gifts of God waiting to just make my day. I need help. I am not accustomed to asking for it. I would assume sit in the dark than have to borrow money to pay the electricity bill. But when it comes to violating rights and companionship someone has to step up and speak up. I am not going to bash this judge; she has her reasons, and the only reason I do not agree with is that she is "not a dog person". If she seriously and genuinely feel there is a need to "protect" my daughter from these dogs, then education is the key. IF that is not the case, then a stand needs to be made. Please offer support...and that support is making a stand with me. Pass this on to who will hear it, and to those who will and can help. My daughter needs her father...and her father needs his daughter. And I need my babies when she isnt there. I cant begin to imagine life without any of them. My contact information is below. I have also included a video to "lighten things up" so to speak...but please, anything helps. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ9Te3A17LQ&feature=related Sincerely, Kris J. Durbin 502-400-2347 4009 Pinecroft Drive Louisville, KY 40219 email: kdurbin13@yahoo.com
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