But coming back to reality I realize that, for me, at least, my life would have been over many years ago. Now I receive fresh food and water daily - I never go without.

I rest, and watch and listen to the man-cubs that come to visit me with their elders. The interest they show when told of the plight of my jungle-brothers makes me feel proud that I am, perhaps, in some way, still part of that wild place. My role now is to be part of the education of man. Over the past few years I have noticed the words ECOLOGY and CONSERVATION being used more and more. I like to think that my capture has helped the less fortunate tigers who still have a daily fight for survival. Hopefully, one day, things will be better for them as well. Perhaps my young neighbor will get his chance to experience what, after all, is his birthright.

But for one, I feel I have been extremely lucky to have very different, but equally satisfying lives.

With each passing day I am gaining in wisdom, and hope that I am passing this on to those around me - my keepers, who I have grown to love; and the interested young human-cubs. One day, after I am gone, my wisdom will help them all to live in harmony.

In the meantime, I will continue to spend my remaining time on this Earth performing my duty in the important learning process that is so necessary to the survival of all species.

[ BACK TO WILD FACTS ]

"I know, it should be returned to the
jungle where it belongs."

I'm Samba!

Now when I was much younger - it was different. I would laze the day away waiting for the heat of the sun to subside before going to look for food. Spotting a herd of deer, I would creep, under cover of bushes, to within 30 yards or so. Ah, I was good! I had a trick that I used, that gained me the reputation of being one of the best hunters in the area. While stalking, I would watch to find an animal that seemed to be injured or less fit than the other. When I felt I was as close as I could get, I would suddenly break cover and race for my target.

Panic! The chase begins. I knew I had a few fleeting seconds to reach my quarry before it would be gone from my grasp. I was fast, but only over short distances and even though I was young and strong I was no match for the speed of the prey I relied on so badly. I was successful and seldom went hungry. But as time wore on and man began to cut down large parts of the jungle to turn it into farmland,
the deer became scarce. I had to compete with man hunter for those that
were left. Times became harder and I was getting older. Many times I went
hungry. By the time I was captured by the man hunter, the fight and spirit
of my youth was beginning to wane.

Happy Tiger!

Perhaps that young cub next door would fare better. But I doubt it! Things
in the jungle are not the same as in my young days. I was talking to him the
other day and telling him some of my stories. His eyes became excited and
in them I saw myself when I was younger. For a moment, I too, yearned for
the excitement, the thrill of the chase, the sense of exhilaration when the
hunt was successful, the scents and noises of the jungle.

Through the Eyes of a Tiger