Tigers for Tigers off to a roaring start
MU organization plans for a year of tiger-related activities.
Published Aug. 28, 2007
At every MU football game, a sea of black and gold pulsates throughout the crowd. The colors are reminiscent of another symbol of MU: the tiger.
One campus group, Tigers for Tigers, is determined to protect the real tigers living in the world.
Tigers for Tigers is a non-profit organization on campus whose mission is to raise awareness of the current condition of tigers through campus-wide fundraisers, activities and informational booths.
"It's something we should be concerned with, saving these beautiful things," sophomore Elizabeth Matye said.
Tigers for Tigers, established in 1999, is the nation's first mascot preservation organization. Many other college campuses followed in its paw prints; now both Auburn and Clemson universities, who also have Tiger mascots, have similar programs.
The group, whose first meeting of the year was Monday night in the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building, has been preparing for a busy schedule this upcoming year.
The organization is taking a distinctive step to raise awareness about tigers through art. Tigers for Tigers has invited artist Francesca Owens to display her artwork in Ellis Library, Jesse Hall and the Reynolds Alumni Center. Owens, who is from Denver, is an active environmentalist who has created a series of tiger artwork. There is also a plan in the works for Owens to give an informational speech in addition to her art showcase.
Tigers for Tigers members are also planning for Tiger Awareness Month in October. Throughout the month, they will sponsor tables, booths and activities all geared toward raising awareness on the condition of tigers today.
The members involved in Tigers for Tigers will also continue their educational program where members visit area public schools and give tiger awareness talks. They also plan on tying all the schools together with a competitive fundraiser, named Paws for Pennies.
"It's unique because it's a continuing tradition," said Dana Morris, the program adviser.
The first event to kick off the new school year is the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' Fall Roundup. The event will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Natural Resources Building. The event, which is like a smaller version of the Activities Mart, will give students a chance to learn about all clubs and organizations within the Natural Sciences department.
The group's goal is to spread word that species of tigers are joining the extinct and endangered lists. Tigers are encountering numerous problems in parts of Asia, where people kill them for medicinal purposes, as well as in the United States.
"The biggest problem in the United States is not knowing how to take care of the tiger," Tigers for Tigers President Melissa Cheatwood said.
One such example is Sully the tiger, which was brought to MU's veterinarians after being discovered in a severely malnourished state. After operations, Sully did not survive.
Because of incidents such as the death of Sully, Tigers for Tigers is gaining attention quickly throughout campus.
"When I first got involved with this organization, I had no idea about the plight of tigers," said Cheatwood.
But activities such as trips to the zoo helped Cheatwood and others become more aware of the plight of other animals, not just tigers. On zoo trips to both Kansas City and St. Louis, the members were able to go behind the scenes and talk to real caretakers and veterinarians.
For others, Tigers for Tigers is a way to be involved with an area of interest that isn't part of their major. Though the majority of Tigers for Tigers members are fisheries and wildlife majors, vice president Laura Dotson said she stepped outside her normal area of study to join.
"Being a journalism student, I don't get to do a lot of conversationalist things," Dotson said.
But the work done by Tigers for Tigers isn't limited to the MU campus. The group has also donated $3,800 for a camera trapping study in Nepal that took photos of a tiger reserve.
"We don't want to have tigers just as our mascot," Cheatwood said. "We want to help save them."
