Update - May 28, 2009:  I have not committed to a site update since 2003, so I thought I would start a make over even though I am feverishly working on two other major projects.  One being the National Afghanistan & Iraq War Memorial and the other the launch of a new fund-raising event - The Manx.

Since I began this update only a few days ago, it will take some time to transfer some of the videos and animal photos.  I will definitely get to those as soon as possible.

Due to the memorial project, I have not written about the tiger's plight since 2006.  Not a lot has changed.  The tiger is still losing ground, now with an estimated 1,400 or less still surviving in the wild.  Ashok Sharma of the Associated Press wrote in 2007, "Saving the world's remaining tigers will require as much as $500 million a year, but average annual international funding only comes to $5 million."  You can easily see the problem.  Governments, corporations, and for that matter, the general public, is not overly concerned.  In 2005 it was discovered that every tiger had disappeared from Sariska National Park, one of India's 28 tiger preserves.

My position on the tiger situation has been clear for years.  If they are ultimately going to be saved, a captive breeding program managed by leading geneticists must be established.  But one where these magnificent animals are relegated to insufficient and unnatural living spaces is unacceptable.   Some of you may be familiar with a venue I designed years ago.  It was quite lavish with luxurious visitor amenities.  I spent hundreds of hours on design and cost projections.  Its estimated price tag was close to $200 million.  That never received any traction.  A pared down Paleocene Park that reduces some of the original planned amenities will still cost a great deal of money.  Observation indicates such a remarkable facility is beyond the reach of small donations.

Some postulate that if the Zoe Foundation can collect enough small donations from a large enough audience, funding a new tiger preserve like I envision could be realized.  When I put forth my initial site plans I was thinking along those lines.  Reality then reared its ugly head.  Not enough people know about the tiger's plight, and those that do probably assume their small contribution would never make a dent in such a budget.  This is understandable.  Mounting a public relations initiative to combat that viewpoint and enlighten people in general failed.  I personally hired a well know PR firm in New York, but very little was accomplished.  The Jay Leno producers told me the subject matter was simply too serious for their audience.  And the press releases I placed on the wire received no responses.  I'm not saying that a multi-million dollar PR campaign would not work, but we simply do not possess those funds.

Some point to President Obama's extraordinary success using the Internet to raise campaign funds.  The tiger project is a horse of a different color.  The President's success was based on grass roots, local volunteer passion and willingness to organize.  It was about electing a new President.  There's a lot of personal enthusiasm to tap at all levels.  I don't believe that kind of fervor could be generated for a tiger project.  It's not something people feel would personally impact their lives, unlike the decisions made by a new leader.

Let me make the case in another way.  This relates to my Freedom Memorial efforts.  Eighty percent of the funding for major memorials like the WWII and Air Force Memorials came from corporations, not private donations.  Referring to paragraph three, if governments, corporations, and other funding sources can provide only $5 million a year for programs that are estimated to need $500 million, a new tiger preserve doesn't stand much of a chance attracting corporate, foundation, or government dollars.  We must pursue funding in an entirely different manner.  Since individual donations will not be the primary funding methodology, I have not published a fund-raising timetable or project budget.  Maybe those will be considered in the future to indicate progress once we see if our new approach produces measurable results.

Our new fund-raising initiative features an international competition based on consumer interest.  The events will be personally rewarding.  Proceeds generated will be directed to one of two projects - the National Afghanistan & Iraq Memorial or Paleocene Park.  I know you've seen advertising on many products indicating a portion of the net proceeds will be donated to ... program(s).  That portion is usually a few cents.  That's fine.  Those pennies add up, especially when major corporations are the benefactors.  This is a good will marketing approach.  Again, I applaud them for their generosity.  I'm glad they are helping needy organizations.  The difference in my methodology is all proceeds from these events will be directed to only two major projects. 

I've designed the Manx based on many years (30+) as a competitive runner.  Running events raise millions of dollars each year for worthy causes.  Participants support these races for three main reasons.  One, they are aware of and support the charity for which the event is organized.  Two, they are rewarded for their entry fee (donation) by getting a T-shirt or some other incentive.  And three, they have the opportunity to win an overall or age group award.  I based the Manx on those three motivators along with the addition of one other - gift giving.  If this approach is successful, it could generate all the funding for the Memorial and Paleocene Park.

Thank you for stopping by.  If you have any thoughts, ideas, or desire to assist in this tiger project or the memorial in some manner, please fell free to write. 

If you would like to read some historical updates you will find them here - Updates: 1995-2006.

Best Regards,

Jason Savage
Director