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Newsletter 53
15/04/12
Lethal Injection or Freedom?
Corbett (right) with siblings, Sariska and Panna (picture Sunette)
I have had many hours at night to
contemplate my future and analyze what went wrong. I have come
to my conclusion that no mistakes were made, Corbett got lucky,
but he hunted me fair and square.
Had his sister, Panna, not come out on the
rock and deceived me into thinking it was him, I would have been
far more cautious. The last few metres he covered the ground in
a split second, it was incredibly quick.
stalking
In fact, when he caught me, I was moving
away from the gate. The job was complete, yet he had the
presence of mind to reach through the gate and grab me.
When a male tiger is ready for dispersal,
nature equips him with everything he needs to become a
territorial male. Firstly, his body bulks up, Corbett is in
magnificent physical condition, his neck swells to make himself
look even more ferocious.
He is
prepared to take more risks as he searches for a
new territory. This could be his first time of interacting with
mature females. Sex, like in every animal, is a strong driving force.
Corbett can't do this, he is in a boma. He
is confined when he needs freedom the most. He is angry with me.
He was once wild and now he is confined.
I am not ashamed to say I am in awe of this
magnificent cat. At the same time, I am afraid of him. He is the
one cat of the 14 that has the power to destroy this project and
take 13 other tigers with him.
I come from a background of wild life
management. I have been taught to look holistically, to save the
species, not the individual.
Take into account that in the 80's, I
personally culled over 60 lions to protect the dwindling
wildebeest populations in the Sabi Sand.
In the drought of 1985, when the buffalo
were starving, I killed over 200 buffalo and fed the meat to
the surrounding human populations.
I waited for tens of hours outside Zambia's
Luangwa National Park to kill
a crocodile that has killed and eaten over 65 people.
I have killed by lethal injection leopard and lion that could no
longer catch their natural prey and were on the way to becoming
man-eaters.
Therefore I am no stranger to these tough
decisions.
Corbett confined (picture JV)
Consider Corbett's options:
1) Sell him to a zoo. There are 45 000 tigers
in zoo's around the world.
2) The Tiger Canyons Constitution is clear - the tigers at Tiger
Canyons must be
free ranging - Corbett is confined.
3) Hunt Corbett for $200 000. I get numerous offers to hunt
tigers, it is illegal. Tigers are under CITES Appendix I - they
cannot be hunted and anyway, it is against my personal ethic.
If anyone has an alternative to my proposal,
I would welcome any other route. Let's explore every avenue
possible.
Corbett will be darted and then killed by
lethal injection
by a professional vet. His body must be treated at all times
with dignity. I will have the vet
systematically remove his body parts and this is where I need
your help.
I intend to find the
leading scientists in the field to test the body parts and to
state categorically whether or not there are any useful
medicinal properties as the Chinese claim. I will go to the best
universities in the world to achieve this. Corbett will not die
in vain.
Read Daryl Balfour's excellent response to
my proposal:
JV and Julie (picture Daryl Balfour)
I have just become aware of your thoughts
- and I pray it is not a decision fait accompli - of
shooting/destroying Corbett!
Please do not allow yourself to make this
decision while you are lying in your hospital bed, in pain
and possibly confused.
Your many, many fans around the world,
and me and Sharna included, will be totally devastated
should you take such a drastic step. Such knee-jerk
reactions can be expected by wildlife managers such as the
old KNP lot, who for instance sent out the order to destroy
the elephant Tshokwane after he trampled me. Fortunately I
regained consciousness in hospital in Nelspruit before the
order could be carried out, and was able to send my pleas
for the elephant to the park warden, who acceded to my
request. My point was that the elephant did what bull
elephants sometimes do, that I was on foot in his terrain,
and the risk was all my own. Nobody other than I was to
blame, and certainly not the elephant.
Although I was not present when your
accident occurred, from what I have gathered Corbett
attacked you as a potential male rival for the in-oestrus
Julie, while you were closing a gate adjacent to where he
was. This is natural behaviour, and you, JV, are to be
commended for having managed to rear totally wild, naturally
behaving, tigers in the heart of the Karoo. Destroy Corbett
and you lend credence to all the nay-sayers & critics who
like to refer to Tiger Canyons as "JV's tiger zoo". To the
best of our understanding, Tiger Canyons is meant to be a
game reserve where tigers roam in as natural conditions as
possible. It should not be a place where people can get out
of their vehicles and walk around, petting tigers.
The accident (if I have the scenario
correct) occurred because you were not concentrating, were
not following your own strict safety protocols. If anything,
the incident should simply make you more safety conscious,
less willing to step out of a vehicle anywhere near wild
tigers.
I understand fully the reasons behind
shooting known man-eaters...once a lion/leopard/tiger etc
tastes Man, it will target this soft-skinned prey forever
after. To my understanding though, Corbett did not manage to
actually bite you (correct me if I am wrong) and his
injuries to you were caused by his claws. Corbett is NOT a
man-eater...he is a naturally wild and aggressive tiger
whose testosterone levels were elevated due to the presence
of an oestrus female nearby. Had he killed you or anyone
else, become a Man-eater, the situation would be somewhat
different.
As Sunette asks in her email, should the
tigers of the Sundarbans be destroyed because they
occasionally kill & eat fishermen?
Euthanize Corbett at the risk of losing
thousands of your fans, much of the support for Tiger
Canyons, and the respect of people who currently hold you in
awe.
I really think this is a decision that
should not be taken until you are well over the ordeal, have
returned to Tiger Canyons, and are able to assess the
situation on the ground. A week
later, Daryl changed his mind...
I have given Corbett a lot of deep
thought and now agree that JV needs to put him down,
painful as this realization is. The liabilities are just
too enormous. He is proven to be aggressive, not only
the attack on JV now, but his previous attempt to smash
through the wire to get to JV when he was walking to the
reservoir. That is now all public knowledge.
If Corbett did manage to smash
through the fence and kill an innocent person walking
past the farm, say, down near the bottom road, Nature
Conservation would probably insist the entire farm be
closed down and JV would be sued for everything he's
got, and we'd lose all that Tiger Canyons stands for.
Corbett is likely to do this
again, he's obviously anti-human now (despite Ricky's
experience in the floods) and the risks not only to JV
but to other tourists at TC are just too high.
Sadly, if a leopard at Londolozi
broke into a room, or climbed on to the deck and
attacked someone there, it too would be put down. Wild
animals are meant to have a natural fear and aversion to
humans, particularly here in Africa and Asia where they
evolved alongside of us, Man the Hunter.
Yes, the sad facts are that
Corbett is confined, frustrated at not being able to
fulfill his breeding imperative, and JV needs much more
land. In the interim, I think the least horrible thing
to do is put him down humanely, not into a zoo cage, and
not at the hands of some stupid big game hunter who'd
probably injure him first.
Daryl Balfour
Safaris:
www.wildphotossafaris.com
In my first newsletter, I've failed to
thank the following people:
Dr du Toit Botha and his wife, Adri, who treated me in
Philippolis, Dr Carin van Schalkwyk who organized the
opening of the stops on the N1 for the ambulance. I would
like to thank the ambulance drivers and paramedics who
treated me for their excellent skills in keeping me alive.
In a conversation with Dr Willie Marx who assisted with the
first operation, he gave me 10% chance of surviving the
infection. Today I have taken my first
tentative steps, only 20 metres, but better than nothing.
Once again, I would like to thank every one around the world
for their love, prayers and positive energy. I assure you I
will be back soon into Tiger Conservation.
Kindly post you comments and suggestions on our blog
http://www.jvbigcats.blogspot.com/
or on Facebook
www.facebook.com/tigeralert
Tread lightly on the earth
JV
Response:
Please take me off your mailing
list. I cannot for one minute support even implicitly
such unfair behaviour towards animals in our “care”.
Where is the animal communication
in this, JV? You know how to. You know others close to
you who also know how to. How arrogant to make decisions
on an animal’s behalf.
How does Corbett feel about being
left to simply BE who he is?
In disgust,
Anna B
Remove me from your mailing list, you are abusive to
your tigers and a vulgar abomination for rescue efforts.
Hi JV and Sunette!
First, let me say that Bob and
I were stunned to read of Corbett’s attack on you –
and so pleased to learn that you are healing and
progressing daily. Another in the many lives of
John Varty!!!..... We wish you continued improvement
in body and the mental strength to make the needed
decisions regarding Corbett’s future.
That Corbett is not free these
days continues to be the lack of fenced land on
which he can roam? It’s not been clear to us from
the web site that this is the reason that he’s in a
boma and unable to
claim a territory and, hence,
likely so aggressive toward you (and possibly others
in the future).
Like Darryl Balfour, we were
aghast that you would consider euthanasia as a
realistic option. But, for all the reasons
discussed, this option seems increasingly realistic,
especially given the possibility of a future Corbett
escape and potentially fatal injuries to another
person. If it is indeed possible to have scientists
study his body and determine the veracity of the
health and strength claims made by Chinese medicine,
then Corbett will have performed a service for man
and tiger alike. But we hope that you are able to
locate such a scientist(s) – perhaps a Chinese one
with some credibility in that country - and to
obtain such an agreement to perform this study
before following through on any plan to end
Corbett’s life.
Your challenges continue to be
overwhelming, JV, both personally and
professionally… We send our love and healing
thoughts to you across the many miles between
California and Tiger Canyon and hope you know that
we wish for you only the best of everything!
Mary Beth & Bob Wheeler
San Francisco, USA
Hi JV,
The idea doesn't seem right even after reading from
u and daryl...isnt a tiger supposed to do what it
did...isnt that the natural instinct...and is one
supposed to enter their habitat...
in which country are people given death sentence for
an attempted murder...so why this punishment to the
animal...
You definitely know better than me...but this doesnt
seem right.
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Carryl Edwards
Good to see u on the mend.
Unfortunately u have no option in the greater scheme of things, but to put him down. Any other option carries too many risks.
I am sure u will debate the question a million times over but the conclusion has to eventually be the same.
Kind Regards
Mbechu (Derek)
This makes me physically ill. I will never ever support this. You have him, you put up with him.
This is always what happens in the wild. You interfere, the animal bears the consequence.
Shame!
Joan Cremen
I am both saddened and furious at your choice to kill this beautiful creature. Dont do it, he was once a wild animal,send him back to his home country and let him be wild again.
Hi JV, Sanet and readers,
I got to meet and know JV in November of last during a calendar photoshoot with the aim of raising funds for the tigers. Having arrived on the farm from a bustling Johannesburg to a superior natural landscape and a tiger greeting me at the entrance, I felt at awe at what I deemed life to be. It took a while for me to fully understand the years of commitment, dedication and hard work that JV has put into caring for even one tiger, what to say about 14!
As the saying goes with great power comes great responsibility. Tigers are majestic cats with great power and should be respected as such.
Is it not human to overlook something once one believes to know ones skills and abilities? We drive on treachorous roads every day and even though we 'seem to be' checking all elements that could cause accidents they still seem to happen - not so? I believe with all my heart that not JV nor Corbett is to blame for this.
I got to meet Corbett during November as well and even then he displayed signs of territorial threat, allowing me, as female, close to the gate with the males getting a good stand down. He's really a big flirt, a big kitty cat, not a man-eater or overly aggresive animal.
To put Corbett down does seem extreme and my first suggestion would be to see whether we can work towards getting the 500ha of land for him to roam. Should we not be able to raise funds(which I believe everyone should be aware of, is not as easy a task as raising funds for a concern as the rhino poaching that is currently supportedly nationwide and just as important), we should maybe consider getting land with game closer to Londolozi and perhaps place a ranger that could provide care and love for him? This would raise the question of solidarity however which would have to be discussed in more detail.
I acknowledge people's feelings and concerns with regards to JV's words, but ask yourself this. If your dog had to attack you, your kids or anyone else for that matter, would you not consider giving him to the SPCA, finding him another home or even putting him down, should the damage have been severe?
I am a tiger canyons ambassador and will say that I am supporting the cause with everything I have. My comment is not biest, but a perspective based merely on the understanding of everything that goes into being a Tiger Man and Women.
Helga Barkhuizen
Miss SA International 2012
Tiger Canyons Ambassador
Hi John, no matter what happened, please remember you were in Corbett's home, not he in yours. He only acted naturally when attacking, had you been in the same position (roles reversed) you probably would have acted the same. If you have no other option, sell him to a zoo, but do not kill him. There are few enough tigers left in this world, you love tigers, please keep him alive, if not at your farm, then somewhere else. Thanks and have a speedy recovery. Madelein
JV,
I hope you heal well.
I know that the cats I deal with are a lot smaller than your tigers but I can fully understand the difficulty of the decision you have to make. It is never an easy one.
Is there any possibility of him being released in the wild in a reserve in Asia? The problem with this is that one doesn’t know if he will attempt to find people in such an area and kill them or if he will find a territory and/or a female and forget about humans. Given the amount of poaching that occurs there, there is no guarantee that he would not meet that fate.
Whatever decision you make, you will know that you have weighed up every option.
Regards
Marion Holmes
Cat Conservation Trust
JV this is a tough choice and one I feel you should do on a personal level and what you think the best choice will be to suit Corbett, no matter what you decide you will be given hell from the general public who really do not have the back round nor the knowledge to decide or choose. I have a worked in a veterinary practice for the past 7 years and after reading your last letter about his nature and his past and clearly you have done what you can for this beautiful cat it would be my decision to Put him to sleep, please do not hunt him even if you plough the funds back into conservation
JV,
Foremost always listen to your heart. Do you really think that with you doing so much for these tigers that we are drawn to the inevitable conclusion that Corbett should be put down because he reacted out of instinct?
I think it is utterly unfair of us as humans to even remotely try and assume that we have any idea what it feels like to live locked up. And the moment Corbett reacted to a natural instinct he now needs to be put down.
What next? We will be killing tigers in the wild like we do already because human's are ever encroaching on their hunting territory. So the human is allowed to commit a fowl but the moment the animal does he needs to be put down.
If Corbett gunned out there and was on the prowl every other day taking people out left right and centre then yes we can act as harshly as is being imposed.
Your choice at the end of the day, but I'm sure many share my sentiments and my feelings when I say it's ridiculous and selfish to act out like this.
Warmest Regards
Syl
Great story Guys, I hope everything goes well and that you guys will get a solution.
Best wishes from another cat lover
Ryan
Dear JV
Thank you for your concern, I strongly believe that what Corbett is done is natural instinct and I don't think he can be punished for that. The scenario as explained by you was your carelessness and not Corbett's aggrasiveness( I would rather say corbett's naturalness. Let hem be free in the hunting boma and enjoy life.
Regards
Shubhaankar Chakraborty
This is the problem with man – he has good intentions of keeping a wild animal “to protect them in the long run” and then when the wild animal ACTS like a wild animal, man takes the all-powerful easy way out!!!!!!!!!!!
Disgusting.
Tami Pankhurst
Your efforts are great. I am a novice, but I love the wild and especially the Tigers. I have sat back and followed your story with the Tigers without any contribution, however I feel it important to voice my support for whatever your decision is with Corbett. You are the expert with the experience and practical knowledge to best decide the way forward; just look at how far you have come with Tiger Canyon. I would never have dreamed something like this possible in South Africa.
In whatever small way, you have the support of my family and I and we wish you a speedy recovery.
Kind Regards
Shaun Pillay
I am very disappointed, with respect you have placed Corbett in the situation he is in today he's a wild animal and surprise wild animals sometimes attack, you want to kill Corbett for what's in his nature.
The only thing Corbett as to relay on is his instinct you can't blame him for that.
Hope you can look in your hart I'm sure of one thing if Corbett had a choice he would choose LIVE in a bame rather than no live at all.
You are willing to spend a lot of money on scientist but not to safe Corbett sounds like you want re wench on Corbett I hope am wrong.
First of all wish you a speedy recovery. I do believe the attack was a natural tiger reaction.I also believe that if the animal is healthy we should not put him down and the animal has the right to live
Sunil
I am glad that you are on the mend.
As far as lethal injection or freedom goes , I believe that you are capable and qualified in making this decision.
My thoughts are with you.
Bhupendra J Purshotam
Dear J.V. I would suggest giving it more time.Corbett should certainly not be a trophy or cut up for T C M experiment. As you said he hunted you fair and square,give it a little more time. Regards Phil Davis
Hi John
Having read your write up and both letters from Daryl, please allow me to comment and ask a few questions. Having spent time at Tiger Canyons and experienced the interaction between you and the tigers, can I ask why Corbett is being held separately from the other tigers? Is this because of his previous aggressive behaviour? Would it not be fair to allow him to breed, as he should? Would this not lower his testosterone levels some what and make him less aggressive for a time? It would be such a pity to loose the genes of this magnificent animal. If he was put down, would his sperm be saved and could it be implanted in one of the female? What about castration? When other animals are castrated they show marked decrease in aggression. I understand all that has been said, but cannot help feeling that this matter deserves a lot more thought and believe there are other alternatives. John, I would welcome your reply.
Regards
Shelby Anderson.
P.S. As you know, my experience is with Rhino. Can you advise how I can get involved at ground level with the rhino horn debate and saving this gentle docile awesome species?
Hi JV,
With regards to your enquiry about testing on the organs etc. Dr Francois Terblanche lives in Philippolis ,he is a chemical engineer as well as a medical doctor, he also produces his own perfumes etc. He might be able to help you with info on lab tests or facilities. He also has a remarkable general knowledge.
Kind regards
Wanya van der Walt
Dear Sunette and JVHaving read the articles and watched the video, we are all astounded at the situation JV finds himself in. The attack by Corbett was horrific, it appears he is very fortunate to still be alive. The decision over Corbetts' future will, I'm sure, have lasting ramifications whatever JV decides to do.
We would like to express our very best wishes for his continued recovery.
He is in our thoughts.
The Drayton Family
John,
I hope you don't mind that I am forwarding this to Lion's Rock. They might have a solution.
Dear Jv,
I think you should wait until you are back at Tiger Canyons before you take a final decision.
Would there be any merit in castrating Corbett?
I wish you very well JV in both your recovery and a horrible decision that might have to be made.
Regards,
Gaie Fergusson
Lethal injection or freedom???? Are you insane? Maybe you are, oh God of Tigers. You're the one that left the cub die. Your ego or whatever it is that drives you is truly messed up. You, sir, have no right to make a death decision for a tiger or any other animal for that matter. Your image of yourself is at best distorted. There are zoos that would gladly take this tiger and give him a home, but reading your words, it seems you have made up your mind, noting all the tigers that are already in a zoo and that Corbett needs to be free. What a bunch of bullshit. Corbett needs to be alive. Turn him loose into the wild or give him to a zoo with adequate space for him to live out his years. As for you, the sooner you get the hell out of the wild and away from tigers the better off they will be. To put it simply, you are an amateur with way too much time on his hands. An expert on tigers you are not.
What a terrible decision to have to make - but aside from the obvious emotional connection with Corbett, everything else put forward here as an argument for euthanising him makes sense, unfortunately....
We met Corbett (from a distance, whilst he stalked the child) and many of the others on our visit to Tiger Canyons toward the end of the floods last year and each time I think of them, the hairs on my neck stand up the beauty, the strength and the power of these creatures is truly awe inspiring, but Corbett is a wild guy and probably will be the cause of your having to close down your Tiger Canyons one day.
The work you do is incredible and I for one support what you are trying to achieve –
I have considered the options and go with you on lethal injection - a zoo or being hunted is not freedom.
In light of his personality and his current situation, I have to say that I think his “Freedom” will be to no longer be confined. The injection and donating his organs etc to prove to the world (especially the Asian community) that nothing of his is good for man, except perhaps for us to see him wild, roaming, hunting, breeding and free.
So long Corbett you wild guy.
Loren
I am sorry for your current suffering.
I am confused as to why Corbett is a danger to the Tiger project to the extent that it would necessitate him being put down? Surely not because he attacked you? That’s his instinct as a wild animal. I assume that you are raising Tigers who can survive in the wild and not domestic kittens.
And why is he restricted to a boma and not allowed to roam free in the park like the other tigers?
Looking forward to your answers and your swift recovery.
Lou
I looked at the set-up at tiger Canyon on two occasions after you had been taken to hospital and my conclusion was that Corbett didn’t “hunt” you , I believe he challenged you. His boma is alongside Julie’s boma – she was in estrus at that time and was mating with Seatao. They were mating while I stood and watched. This is happening right in Corbett’s face and he can do nothing about it.Can you imagine his frustration? He can’t challenge Seatao nor can he get to Julie. But you go in and out of Julie’s boma all the time. The day he attacked you, you had been in Julie’s boma .
I remember Ron running right at you once to knock you down when Julie had come into estrus and we didn’t know yet. To get to you he had to run right around me, deliberately avoiding me.
I acknowledge that the floods set you back but I also think that from a management point of view you do not have the boma space to accommodate all the tiger’s TC is carrying given their varying dispositions . You will remember the ongoing war with Julie and Shadow…..
In terms of Corbett’s future you may think in terms of subduing his aggression before you anesthetise him. Charlotte agrees that castration will certainly help. There may also be some drugs. A better fence would help.
I am almost sure the research you are thinking of subjecting Corbett’s body to has already been done. Have you done a thorough search?
Gillian
They are and remain WILD animals and being with them is ALWAYS a risk that is taken with full senses of the human being involved. How can killing him even cross your mind????
Yours,
Maya Oosterhoff
Food for thought?
Regards.
Pierre
JV,
How about this?
Can you at least let him breed and pass on his genes before a lethal injection? I do see and understand arguments for both. Is there a zoo that would take him? It's just that Tigers numbers keep decreasing globally and the whole situation is sad, as his behavior was likely as Daryl originally described, but there is also the danger that he thinks he is so dominant that he can impose his will on anyone.
I pray you take a little more time before you decide.
Regards,
Jason
I am saddened to hear of the decision that has to be made.
Would returning Corbett to his natural wild country be an option.
I am sure the Indian Government would welcome the chance to get one of an endangered species back.
Just think about how many cubs Corbett could sire.
I cry for the correct decision to be made.
Take care
Thelma
Mr. JV,
I am so confused now after reading this, I was so very sure in my heart that you would never ever put Corbett down and people that I speak to that have never even met you in person, tell me John will never put him down. I know so little about this compared to you, but I know one thing that I love animals and I can’t bare the thought of them being in pain or us putting them to sleep, because we were involved in their lives and something went wrong.
You are the most wonderful man with a heart set for animals first and that is what you have done and shown the world, you are one in millions! You were involved in Corbett’s life and he attacked you and has tried before……did they not do this in India, do they still not do this? Tigers are Tigers and yes well he seems to be a little more aggressive than the others, but that is who he is! Are Tigers not out there to hunt? Some of us humans are a little more aggressive than others, we don’t put them out!! (although yes I know, funnily sometimes we might like to) Oh John I have tears in my eyes for you and Corbett, the last thing we want is to lose you, but this is what you do, you are contributing to their survival and he is one of them, with a different personality. He is not supposed to be around humans anyway!!! So what do you think, you have worked with them for so many years and nothing would go wrong?
You have been placed where you are, doing what you do, with the passion that you have because it is meant to be you who does this, most of us (like me) love animals but don’t have the balls and courage to live our lives for them like you have, but you have and at the end of the day, no one else’s opinion really matters does it? You have probably lived a far more exciting and fulfilled life than most people on planet earth, rushing around in their fancy cars from here to there with no real meaning in their lives and not many people loving or admiring them anyway! (living the rat race)
My heart says don’t put him down, give him his space for a while and see how you feel in a little time, I know I am sounding like an emotional woman, but let’s be honest I am a woman & I have strong emotions when it comes to animals, I am not afraid to say it, I don’t want him to die….even if we can prove his body parts are of no medicinal value…..we damn well know that already!!
I know John this is one of those extremely hard decisions you have to make in your life and I know that if something happens to you, who on this earth is going to do and carry on what you do? You are rare and I am not sure you can be replaced but for the love of Corbett, don’t decide now PLEASE give it time, we humans have the power to out think situations, so do it, cause you can.
I am and truly sorry this happened to you, but maybe this is also a warning, to be, more careful for the cause you live for. I don’t know, I am just trying to tell you everything that I am thinking right now as I feel such pain for you and Corbett right now.
John I wish you well in your recovery and pray that it happens speedily and that you are on your feet very soon again, as I said in your card “This planet is not ready to carry on without you yet, so get better!”
Regards to your special family, they must be so worried for you.
At the end of the day John I will respect your decision even if I don’t agree and might be in pain over it. I think I have said what I need to get it off my chest and I am sure you are getting so many peoples opinion on this but it is your decision to make……………………………
Thinking of you and wishing you well
Lots of love
GG and Keith
I was under the impression that all tigers are man-eating predators. You seem to think they are just big cats that you can play with.
If you can't accept them in their natural role then please do the decent thing and fly them to India to a reserve so that they can live in their natural environment rather than in your ego park with you constantly prodding and poking and invading their personal space.
Your attitude to the cats is disturbingly unprofessional and I do not want to receive any further information from you. I have been increasingly irritated at your immature meddling in the lives of the tigers you "care" for and to be honest, you were overdue a mauling.
Your proposed petulant action of putting down a tiger that responds in a way that isn't "petlike" is the last straw. You infer that it isn't worthwhile sending corbett to a zoo as there are 45,000 tigers in captivity already, but in previous newsletters you constant bleat about the dwindling numbers of tigers in the world as a reason for your having set up the project.
However, your proposed action just shows how much you really value a tiger's life. if they don't play ball and allow you to manhandle their newborn cubs or splash about in a stream with you, they're out. Absolutely childish and pathetic.
Has it ever occured to you that the photo of you with a tiger draped over your shoulders is a complete aberration and unnatural and that Corbett is the real 100% natural tiger? it all seems to be about control and you playing the "big man" dominating and controlling big powerful cats.
Like I said, take me off your mailing list
Although I understand you point of view, I still think this is a knee jerk decision of putting Corbett down. He is a Tiger, a real tiger that you have worked towards. And he deserves that respect. I would suggest spending some more time on thinking out of the box as to what are the options is the need of the hour. Even thinking and discussing with the parks around the world who are fighting to increase the tiger population may bring out a positive step towards relocating Corbett.
I for a fact do not support your decision to put down Corbett.
Regards
Vimal Sharma
Dear JV,
My name is Sybelle Foxcroft and I am a wildlife biologist and big cat
conservationist, particularly for tigers.
I am also the CEO of Cee4life (conservation and environmental education 4
life www.cee4life.org)
I am writing to ask you not to lethally inject Corbett, and to allow me to
rehome him into a correct facility with the best care.
Please JV, all me to rehome him. I have a great many contacts around the
world and I am urging you to allow me to rehome Corbett.
Corbett does not deserve to be lethally injected, please do not do this,
and please allow me to help in the situation.
My email is [email protected]
I dearly hope that you will contact me.
Sybelle Foxcroft
It has been 2 years since I visited Tiger Canyons. At the time I was entranced by the tigers, and have wanted to go back ever since. I was 12 years old. I am now 14 and even I can see that killing Corbett could be lethal. There are few enough tigers in the world as it is.
Killing Corbett, or putting him in a zoo, would not accomplish anything. Wild animals that are put under confinement in a cage tend to become extremely agitated and aggressive. I have witnessed this first hand; in Berg-en-Dal in the KNP, the vervets and baboons that were in the camp are now placed in cages under lock and key. What makes this even more upsetting is that this is happening in a wildlife reserve. A possible solution is to release him into a country in Asia with a prominence in tiger population, such as Russia. Or try relocating him into Mongolia. A zoo would damage Corbett more than he damaged your leg. how would you feel if you were placed in a cage, or worse, killed, for just being what you are; what your entire species has been doing for thousands of years? In my opinion, humans think we are better than other species because we have opposable thumbs. Well world, I have news for you; apes do too. We aren’t better than animals, we’re worse; they kill for food, we kill for fun. So are humans more important than the creatures we destroy? Consider that when you make your decision...
Hi JV,
Somewhat premature to make such an emotional decision.
You have time to reflect, while your injuries heal and think about the situation which left Corbett no choice but to do what he only knows is instinct.
In cricket, when you are peppered by a fast bowler for the first time you always remember that hurtful moment..
You grit your teeth and face the onslaught with determination and what you have been taught to do.
You never throw in the towel , no matter what.
Corbett merely hit you with a lethal bouncer and you will live to tell the tale.
Let Corbett live to share the tale.
The harsh reality is, at that moment you dropped your guard and Corbett saw a weakness.
I passed through Phillipolis yesterday on my way back from the Easter break with the boys. I wanted to pop in but never had any contact details.
Wasn’t sure if you were still recovering in hospital or you were back on the farm.
Speedy Recovery
Regards
Gary Thomas
Dear John,
It was heartbreaking to read about and see your condition after Corbett's attack. I am still praying for your full recovery and safety from infection.
My anxiety when I was at Tiger Canyons was that John was almost alone in caring for forces of nature, tigers breeding and multiplying and he had to find both food and land for them. This is an enormous undertaking. I thought the boma was a temporary condition because the cats were going off to the Eastern Cape. I am heart broken that such an especially strong male tiger will have to be put down. What happened to the move to the Cape?
I have asked before, but I will do this again. Is it possible to make all the locks electrified so that there is no longer the need to handle them outside of the vehicle? Like the locks on garage doors?
There is so much going through my head right now. Mostly everything comes down to money. If John had the money there could be more land, a trusted lieutenant to work with John and I am supposing the removal of tigers to new territory might be easier. Am I right or wrong in this?
If one believes in Tiger Canyons, you have to believe in John Varty's wisdom in handling it. My heart goes out to you and Corbett and I hope the very best of decisions and actions are taken. I put in a plea to think it through for as long as possible. I understand that Corbett is now not afraid of "Man the Hunter" - but he's a king cat, frustrated and bursting with hormones. Daryl's elephant was also unafraid.
All my best wishes,
Cheryl
This message is for JV and Darryl and it comes from a complete outsider looking in and feeling extremely saddened by the conclusions reached regarding the fate of Corbett.
The way I see it, Corbett’s reaction was 100% normal. He was reacting like any male tiger would do when feeling threatened by another male especially when female tigers around his were in estrus. I don’t understand why such a drastic decision has to now be made about his future, just because he attacked a man. Isn’t this what tigers do? The comment from Darryl about tigers in Africa being accustomed to living amongst humans is totally unbelievable.
It is easy to understand why JV is now feeling the way he does. The attack is still very fresh in his mind, he is still hurting from the horrific injuries and he is of course understandably angry with himself for not being as alert as he should have been. This is easily done especially after all the years he has spent amongst tigers with a temperament like Julie’s.
He also knows that in the future, because of the Tiger Canyons ethos of tigers roaming freely, Corbett has become a real threat and I mean this in the nicest way possible, as I have great respect for JV, his days of walking freely amongst the tigers is now well and truly over and he has to now be constantly looking over his shoulder. But isn’t this how man’s behaviour should be around tigers anyway?
Tigers are wild animals or have everyone forgotten this. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Corbett and it would be a real sin to put such a beautiful animal down just because he has done what comes naturally. The very thought of putting him down and them dissecting his body parts to investigate its effects on Chinese medicine, fills me with such profound grief that I can go out right now and scream out loud to the heavens in desperation at the utter selfishness and callousness of man.
So these beautiful animals are now being investigated for the benefits of addressing the shortcomings – literally – of men. How very conceited – so this obviously means that if the study on beautiful CORBETT’S DEAD BODY proves to positively make a difference or have an effect on Chinese medicine, then the conclusion is that people would be wanting more tiger parts, wouldn’t they? So if it makes man feel stronger and more powerful, then go ahead and kill the tigers.
Again, the comment I am about to make, I say this with the utmost respect for JV and do not question his dedication and time spent working for tiger conservation for the last 40 years. He should be highly commended for his tireless work with tigers.
BUT HE IS NOT THINKIING CLEARLY AND IS OBVIOUSLY TAKING SOME HEAVY PAINKILLING DRUGS. Hence he can’t be in his right mind at all, when he even suggests taking such drastic action.
Please, I appeal to you and I know I am speaking for millions of others out there, please don’t put Corbett down. Please reconsider.
Who are we to play GOD and how dare we presume to have the power over the life of such a beautiful animal like Corbett.
Even mentioning the words LETHAL INJECTION and CORBETT in the same sentence, fills me with dread.
If JV feels so strongly that he can’t be around Corbett or work freely amongst the tigers for fear of another attack by Corbett, he should send him away to a place where he can run freely as tigers were meant to do, not to live under the constant watchful eye of man who more often than not, forget the true nature of these wonderful animals when they satisfy a deep need to live amongst them.
A Tiger Supporter
I am so sorry to read about your injury by Corbett and hope you recover fast and fully.
A comment attributed to you said that you thought the aggression exhibited by Corbett was genetic as evidenced by his behaviour from birth. That really drew my attention.
Just last night I was watching a program on NOVA about how dogs evolved to be our best buddies, with the usual suggestion that they diverged from wolves. The program featured some research done by a Russian scientist Dmitry Belyaev over many decades during which he bred foxes and selected over 50 or so generations. One of the observations was for aggression versus tameness (evidenced by levels of adrenaline in their blood).
He found that aggression was part of the genetics and was able to isolate groups of animals which showed no agression, and by implanting an embryo of an “aggressive” fox into a tame mother he found that the resulting offspring exhibited clear signs of aggression.
One of the most interesting outcomes of the study was that as the nature of the foxes changed through generations, and he got to completely tame animals, so did their physical features. (I think that this was the main focus of the study – the agression observations were secondary).
I’ll stop there – there is too much to go into, but I was captivated by what appeared to be pretty good evidence for the existence of agression in genes (nature, not nurture).
I have pasted in below an article excerpted from the American Scientist (in 2002) on this experiment that might interest you.
Best regards and good luck with recovery,
Jules
If you kill Corbett, John Varty, you will destroy not only a beautiful,
healthy specimen of a rapidly vanishing species, you will destroy your
career and Tiger Canyons as well. There ARE places Corbett could be sent
to, there ARE alternatives to putting him down. Corbett is NOT a rabid
dog, he just got the best of you. Respect him and admire him for that!!
And let him live. After all, he let YOU live, didn't he?? Think about
that!! If he had gone for your throat, no number of people could have
saved you. Maneater?? Hardly. You are the one who is supposed to know
better, John Varty, not Corbett.
Just the fact that one of your so-called "options" for Corbett was to
allow him to be HUNTED for a paultry $200,000 shows what kind of man you
are. And Corbett is a far better tiger. He proved that to you. He
deserves to live.
Rita Nunn
Dear JV,
I am so pleased to hear that you are on the mend. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
In regards to putting Corbett down, I have some thoughts. I am not a wildlife biologist by any means, but have studied animals both wild and domesticated. You mentioned that he was filled with testosterone with a female (Julie?) around. I know that with domestic animals, neutering males takes a lot of their aggression away. Could you possibly 'fix' Corbett, and perhaps freeze his sperm for future use in the process??? Again, I don't know about such apex predators, but if it works for an aggressive dog, why not?? I always feel badly when an animal has to pay the ultimate price for messing with humans. We have hurt so many more of them...
I do not mean to minimize what has happened to you, but I just respect you so much and hope that you make the right decision.
Sincerely,
Janie
Colorado, USA
We sympathise with your present circumstances and thoughts.
Having visited TC, and meeting you and some of your tigers, we were of the opinion
that your venture in saving the species was honourable and most commendable.
We understood that it was part of the plan to relocate tigers when possible to
other parts of the world including their natural habitat if possible.
Corbett is not a maneater as you avoided this possibility, and as such your decision(?) to
put the animal down cannot be justified on this point. Having the best scientists confirm
that body parts are of no benefit to humans will do very little if anything to dispel the
myth that is perception by many Far Eastern people viz: Rhinos.
During our visit you mentioned other countries that could be ‘home’ to tigers.
Before you take the final decision, surely ALL these avenues should be explored.
I do not believe you will be comfortable should you use the lethal injection.
Regards
Tom and Patsy Crisp
Hello Mr Varty,
My name is Sybelle Foxcroft, I am a wildilfe biologist and
conservationist. Im the CEO of Cee4life (conservation and environmental
education 4 life www.cee4life.org) and I specialise in big cats and
carnivores mostly, in the wild and captivity. I wont go on about my
experience etc, however I will provide you with any further information
you may require via email or via phone or via skype.
I am not going to launch into all the reasons you should spare Corbetts
life, I am purely going to address the need to find a new location for
him.
Firstly, I apologise for being so public about this letter, however I have
been trying very hard to contact you and the responses are slow. I do not
want this to reach you too late, for Corbett.
Ive been corresponding with Daryl Ballour in regard to Corbetts fate.
Through some wonderful tiger and wildlife friends I contacted, I was able
to secure a facility for Corbett, however I have been told by associates
of yours that it would be worse than death if Corbett was put into a cage.
I agree. The facility which has offered is a sanctuary, not a caged zoo.
Anyway, it seems that you will only consider a replicated environment the
same as what Corbett has now.
So I have been working on that.
There was also a statement made regarding Tiger Canyons being the only
place in the world where these semi-wild tigers have been taught to hunt
etc. I want to inform you that that is not true, and that there have been
a number of tigers re wilded in India.
I know this as I have been in communications with them for quite a while,
and followed these re wildings. The Tiger Centre in Kahna has been
re-wilding a number of tigers and have been successful, however I have
just found out that there is not enough room for Corbett there.
But, there is another possibility which I urge you to consider, and I am
fully ready to assist and I have contacts within the Indian authorities
which may be able to help this situation move swiftly.
Due to poaching, Sariska National Park lost all of its tigers in 2004,
they have started the re population of tigers in Sariska. Currently there
is 5 tigers there. I have just recieved a postive email indicating that
there is more than enough room for Corbett there and their is a
possibility of relocation to Sariska. I am now in contact with Sariska to
discuss this.
I am willing to go to India and monitor Corbett, and protect him,
implement anti-poaching techniques, GPS him, and watch over him. I know
that I will be able to get the assistance from a vast amount of
professionals and the general public.
All you have to do is say yes, and I will go ahead and make the inroads to
make this happen, to save this boys life.
I understand that Corbett is quite a wild tiger, but that is exactly what
characteristics are needed in a semi-wild tiger to survive in the wild.
He has the spirit of survival.
It would be an utter tragedy to lethally inject this Tiger when he has so
much potential.
My compassion and sympathy to you regarding your attack, I do know
personally what it is like to be attacked by an animal, a tiger. It is
frightening. But you are alive John, please allow Corbett to remain the
same.
There is no reason to use Corbetts dead body to prove the false Chinese
Traditional Medicine use of Tigers, it is already proven.
Please John, I will help, the world will help. Please contact me via my
email [email protected], this is a vitally important moment in your
life. Please make the right decision and spare Corbetts life.
This could be something wonderful.
Let us work together and find the way to save him.
The only thing impossible about this is if you say it is.
Never Give Up
Sybelle Foxcroft
Cee4life
www.cee4life.org
Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery
Trust your heart on this decision!
Love
Stephen & Debbie & Carl Johnson
Shannon Shead
Sir,
We all held our breathe when we heard over the radio and on television, that you had been “attacked” by one of your tigers. Undeniably, it was a horrifying experience, even to you who are an expert in the field of tigers.
Whilst it is without a doubt that prayer power helped you to survive your ordeal, I firmly believe that God has a reason why you did.
I implore you to please not kill Corbett – he has done no wrong, other than be the majestically instinctive animal that he is. It is beyond comprehension to kill him – please set him free to roam as he should!!!!!
Regards
Colleen Dyman
I cannot understand it. Everytime us humans makes a mistake, nature suffers. If you do not want to keep Corvett contact Jurg from Jukani (google it) outside Mossel bay. Maybe he can help. He has a genuine love for big cats. How dare you even thinking putting that tiger down just because you made a mistake. Rather close down Tiger Canyon if that is the thinking and put all the tigers in a zoo. At least they will be alive.
Dear JV,
I have seen so many of your documentaries and enjoy your blog and I feel like
I almost know you. Your efforts in preserving tigers is beyond belief and you
seem to be part of them. However, I don't think Corbett agrees with you on
this. He's a magnificent animal yet has a very wild nature that cannot be
trusted, as you well found out. It's so fortunate that you had someone with
you who could successfully ward him off you and saved your life.
The most unique thing about you is that you understand the animal kingdom and
have so much to contribute, yet you have learned you too are quite vulnerable
in the scheme of things. I don't know if you are familiar with what the
Bible says regarding a paradise earth but we have a most wonderful future
ahead of us in which the earth will be returned to the paradise conditions
that God intended in the first place. You will love this information--your
being the great animal lover you are!! At Isaiah 11: verses 6-9 it states:
'And the wolf will actually reside for a while with the male lamb, and with
the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young
lion and the wellfed animal all together; and a mere little boy will be leader
over them. And the cow and the bear themselves will feed; together their
young ones will lie down. And even the lion will eat straw just like the
bull. And the sucking child will certainly play upon the hole of the cobra;
and upon the light aperture of a poisonous snake will a weaned child actually
put his own hand. They will not do any harm or cause any ruin in all my holy
mountain; because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of
Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea.'
These are promises that Jehovah God has made that bring us such hope for a
wonderful future. The animal kingdom will no longer prey upon one another and
we humans will be at peace with them also. No more killing, no more hunting,
no more devastation. What a wonderful thought and hope.
You too can be a part of that and your dream will be fulfilled of preserving
the fabulous big cats that you love so much. I would hope you would want to
know more and can find peace in these thoughts.
I know that Jehovah's Witnesses are somewhere in your area and it would be
such a benefit to you to learn more. Please just take a few minutes to ask
about this wonderful future awaiting us.
Most sincerely and with huge get well wishes.
Lynne Lucas in Lander, Wyoming, USA
Good afternoon John
I felt a little sympathy for JV just for a short while, until I read up on him. He will do anything for sensation. His project does nothing for wild life. It is his own fault Corbett attacked him and now he is so afraid of that young tiger it is just not true. Now the tiger must suffer. I hope someone does something and that they will close his so called project down. Too many animals have suffered already, all in the name of a good camera shot. He is enriching himself at the cost of animals and how long do you think the public is going to be blind? Putting out Corbett is going to be the biggest mistake he will make. I think that will open a lot of people’s eyes. Rather be the hero and find a nice place for him to run wild. Ag, how pathetic is this guy, he had 5 operations? They just cleaned his wounds!
And since when is 2 broken ribs life threatening?
If I remember correctly it was Corbett that killed “Shine”. As much as I don’t like putting a beautiful animal down, this cat cannot stay at Tiger Canyons” he is a threat to Humans and other tigers. A jail sentence might be a good option so his beauty can be enjoyed by many.
I hope you will be well again soon, best wishes Hazel Fair
JV,
I am happy to hear that you are recovering well.
Since my visit to Tiger Canyons I have been a vocal supporter of your project. However, if Corbett is put down that will all change and I will never visit Tiger Canyons again. There has to be a better alternative.
It seems there must be a way to give Corbett some space to roam and then to check his behaviour.
There must be a way to monitor his movements to determine if he really is as aggressive as it seems at present when he is confined to the boma.
To put Corbett down will play right into the hands of your detractors who will of course say “ We told you so”.
I trust you can give this more thought.
Take care,
Denis Aspden.
Tigers forever.
John