Cat lovers are invited to submit photos of themselves via the Internet to create a giant tiger mosaic that will promote tiger conservation efforts. (Stock photo) |
An international coalition of tiger conservation groups has launched a worldwide campaign to collect pictures that will be a part of the world’s largest photo mosaic of a tiger.
The finished tiger mosaic will be unveiled to world leaders in June as they gather to discuss trade in endangered species at the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in The Hague, Netherlands.
Supporters of tiger conservation can take part in the campaign by uploading their photos here. Visitors to the mosaic can zoom in on the larger tiger picture and find images they submitted.
The tiger mosaic campaign is being launched as China considers lifting its ban on trade in tiger bone and other body parts. This allowance would be disastrous for wild tigers because an increase in poaching would immediately follow.
“This is a fun, interactive web tool with a serious goal. We decided that the most powerful message would come from having the public weigh in, voting for tiger conservation with their faces,” said Campaign Against Tiger Trafficking Director Judy Mills. “The aim of the mosaic is to send a united message that the world believes China’s current ban on tiger trade is absolutely necessary for the future of tigers in the wild.”
Supporters will also have the opportunity to send a note to China’s leaders recognizing them for their effective 1993 ban on tiger trade and urging them to maintain the ban. These messages of appreciation will be hand delivered to officials in China.
Thirty organizations, including conservationists, animal welfare groups, traditional Chinese medicine organizations and zoos, are organizing this interactive campaign to save wild tigers.