T4T Student to Attend Special Forces Ranger Training in Africa

Kevin O'Day has been a part of Tigers for Tigers, representing SUNY: Cobleskill, since Summer 2013. As one of the most active T4T members, Kevin has interned with the National Tigers for Tigers Coalition, attended the 2014 T4T Summit, and visited Washington D.C. to advocate for wildlife policy. Kevin O'Day was on his path to getting his Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management. With only a year left before he'd achieve this degree, Kevin has decided to take a turn and pursue his passion on the front lines in Africa. I sat down with Kevin to learn more about his decision and how T4T helped inspire him to stay with conservation!

L to R: Rajiv Bery, Kevin O'Day and Kaitlin Carter at 2014 T4T Summit @ Mizzou

C: Hey, Kevin! When did you first become involved with Tigers for Tigers?

K: I became involved with T4T during my freshmen year at SUNY Cobleskill after my professor told me about the letter that he had received inviting Cobleskill to join the national coalition. Because of my interest in big cat conservation, I contacted Sean and have been involved in the organization ever since.

C: Awesome. When did your passion for conservation arise?

K: I have always loved animals, but after going on safari in Africa with my aunt and uncle during my senior year of high school, I realized that I wanted to live in Africa and do what I can to protect its wildlife.

C: Okay. So you’re no longer a student as of the end of 2014 Fall semester. What are you doing now?

K: I am going to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for Special Forces ranger training with a private ranger organization known as the African Wildlife Defence Force (AWDF). AWDF is a newly developed organization that plans to provide highly trained rangers to support parks and reserves across sub-Saharan Africa in their fight to protect their wildlife from poachers. My departure date isn’t set in stone yet, as they’re recruiting more South African rangers before I can start.

C: Wow! What a switch.  Keep me updated on your departure. How did an opportunity like this arise?

K: After reading an article released by WWF, which stated that global wildlife populations have decreased by 52% over the past 40 years, I realized that I wanted to become a ranger so that I can be on the front lines of the war to protect the world’s remaining wildlife. So, I started looking online for ranger schools and found AWDF, which I chose over the other organizations because they offer special forces training and provide the opportunity to work all over sub-Saharan Africa.

C: I think this is an extremely admirable move.  What are you hoping to accomplish through this decision?

K: By working as a ranger for AWDF, I hope to do my part to protect Africa’s wildlife from extinction. Because most parks in Africa are understaffed and undertrained, I hope to maximize my contribution to saving Africa’s wildlife by working with AWDF to provide support to rangers in need of help. I am particularly concerned with protecting rhinos, because they are critically endangered and are still being killed relentlessly for their horns to meet Asia’s demands for Chinese medicine.

C: Awesome. So, we know tigers are not in Africa. What role did T4T play in your decision to become a ranger there?

K: Through my involvement in T4T, I have gained a much better understanding of the real life threats faced by wildlife all over the planet. I have also met many people who are passionate about saving wildlife, and it has further inspired me to do what I can to protect wildlife.

Kevin pictured left during D.C. policy trip

C: Very inspiring, Kevin. Lastly, what does T4T mean to you?

K: I love T4T because it has the potential to completely change the wildlife conservation field. By appealing to students and educating them about the problems facing their mascot, T4T will hopefully help to shift public consciousness towards conserving wildlife. Through connections with the government, T4T has already begun to influence national policy and has impressed policy makers with their ability to build public support. I have also made a lot of friends through this organization who I know will be influential in the conservation field in the near future.

Everyone at T4T is so incredibly proud of Kevin, his work with Tigers for Tigers, and his decision to be on the frontlines of protecting wildlife. It definitely takes a certain type of individual to make this kind of decision, and Kevin will continue to be an inspiration to us all at T4T! We support you wholeheartedly, and good luck over there!

Carrah Lingo

Communications Associate

NT4TC

Towson T4T Travels to Carolina Tiger Rescue

During their Winter break, Towson University T4T members chose to spend a week volunteering at Carolina Tiger Rescue (CTR), through their university's Alternative Break Connections program. CTR is an accredited, non-breeding, big cat sanctuary located in Pittsboro, NC and offers the opportunity to learn more about big cats, and the problems surrounding them in the U.S.

Towson T4T members take a trip to Carolina Tiger Rescue

When asked to describe their experience in three words, Towson T4T president, Chelsea Connor said, "Inspiring, enlightening and fun!" Before arriving, the 14 girls had no idea what they had in store for them service-wise. "We weren't told much about what we would be doing besides 'light construction.' Most of us were expecting that we would be cleaning out a tiger enclosure or doing yard work, " Chelsea said. Girl power really came into play when they learned that "light construction" meant concreting a tiger enclosure. To their surprise, and those at Carolina Tiger Rescue, they finished the enclosure in just three days. The girls also found themselves chopping wood, helping with office work, and sorting through donated Christmas trees the tigers could play with. The girls rewarded themselves by leaving their own "paw print" behind, writing their names along with "Towson" in the cement.

Max charges the fence

With the service came up close and personal encounters with the tigers, including fence barriers of course! During their work on the tiger enclosure, the ladies found themselves as neighbors with two tiger brothers Max and Christian. According to Dan Munn, CTR Site Manager, the tigers see turned backs as a weakness, and as a result they will charge the fence. As advised, the girls took turns watching the tigers while the rest worked. This didn't seem to matter to Max! As Max started to approach the fence, Dan attempted to get his attention vocally. In return, Max locked eyes with Dan and charged the fence with a heart-shaking roar. "We suspect Max doesn't like men!" laughed Chelsea.

One of the most memorable moments the Towson group had was listening to the stories of how the tigers ended up at the rescue facility. Getting to know the history of the cats and the workers sparked a sense of closeness between the group, the big cats, and Carolina Tiger Rescue. However, Chelsea had a special moment of her own. While photographing the big cats she met tigress, Tasha. Chelsea said, "As I was taking pictures I chuffed at her, so she wouldn't see me as a threat. She chuffed back, and I can't explain it, but I felt an instant connection with her. It's small moments like these that make me appreciative of sanctuaries like Carolina Tiger Rescue." We're right there with you, Chelsea!

Tasha meets eyes with Chelsea 

​The group had such a wonderful experience there is already talk about a trip this coming Summer. "We were able to get close to the tigers and other cats at the sanctuary. I learned so much this week about the cats and myself," Towson T4T member Kimberly Vogt said. Kimberly continued, "I didn't know everyone that I went on the trip with, but by the end of the week our group was inseparable." We are very proud of Towson T4T and their work at Carolina Tiger Rescue. If you'd like to learn more about this group, you can keep up with them on Facebook and Twitter!

Go Tigers!

Carrah Lingo

Communications Associate

NT4TC

College Daze: Costa Rica, Beyonce, and Saving Tigers!

By: Sean Carnell

Trinity University T4T had a very successful fall semester by finding ways to reach out and give back to their community. During Tiger Awareness Week, Trinity T4T raised $200 in hopes to support the tiger habitat of the San Antonio Zoo. Throughout the semester, they worked with multiple student organizations, not only to educate their peers about their mascot; but also, to bring student groups together at their holiday-themed events and t-shirt giveaway.

Tito Sandigo is a junior, double major in Business Administration: Marketing and Theater with a minor in Spanish at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

“What’s great about Trinity are the academics, and the tight-knit community on campus.  We get to know everyone on a closer level and really enjoy it,” Tito Sandigo, Trinity T4T leader.

As Tito is enjoying his winter vacation in Costa Rica with his sister, we talk about T4T.

S: We like to do these fun questions at the beginning before we get into T4T. Describe your college experience in three words.

T: Hmm… Life changing, I don’t want to say stressful, but challenging, and superb!

S: What is your favorite college-themed movie?

T: Let me think…would the Social Network count?  That would work, which is fantastic, and I love Accepted.

S: Those are awesome, now on to Tigers for Tigers! How did you get involved with Tigers for Tigers?

T: I found out about Tigers for Tigers through my sister, Gabriela Sandigo who founded Trinity T4T as a result of meeting you in Costa Rica!  I was a little skeptical at first, just because I didn’t know what it was, but it opened my eyes about the plight of tigers – which matters to me because I really enjoy animals.  Knowing that such a regal creature was going extinct is just terrifying!  So I was happy to find out that she was able to make it an official club on campus, and that is how I became involved.

S: It’s amazing to see how the relationship between your sister and I, from a study abroad program, turned into a T4T club at Trinity. What kept you interested?

T: It’s because I saw that no one was doing anything about it except for a few other people.  For me to inspire others to get this whole movement on-board with as many people as possible, kept me interested with the idea of actually making a difference, and to be a part of something that other people my age are involved in is exciting.

S: Do you see any overlap between your major and Tigers for Tigers?

T: Yes, I see it in terms of marketing our organization on campus, and within our small Trinity community.  From the business perspective, I’m gaining a greater perspective on the importance of building connections with others.

S: So what are you looking forward to with Tigers for Tigers this semester?

T: Definitely having more events and getting more of our community involved, and along with the opportunity for our members to attend the upcoming summit at LSU.

S: What advice do you have for other T4T members and leaders?

T: Stay determined.  Keep up the motivation levels of your members, and remember why we started what we are doing: to save our mascot.

 S: One more question before we head out...What is your favorite college anthem to listen to before you go out?

T: Definitely Beyoncé.  Of Course!  Well right now, 7-11.  That’s a good one.

To find more information about Trinity Tigers for Tigers, please visit their Facebook page or follow them on twitter. Go tigers!

-Sean Carnell

Congress Works to Keep Tigers and Other Wildlife Happy!

Last weekend, the House and Senate passed the appropriations bills to fund the government for 2015, which is GREAT news for tigers!

The National T4T Coalition and a few T4T members traveled to Washington D.C. in September to meet with their Senators to advocate for more funding to support international wildlife.

We asked Congressional leaders to allocate $10 million to support USFWS-International’s programs. Thankfully USFWS-International received $9.1 million to continue supporting conservation efforts. Within the $9.1 million, $2.4 million will be allocated to the Rhino and Tiger Fund. Awesome news for both tigers and rhinos!

T4T members still have fun when working to #SaveOurMascot!

Some of this money is used to support our partner Tiger Trust in India who conducts multiple women forest guard trainings to reduce human-wildlife conflict issues in central India. Click here to learn more about how USFWS-International is assisting Tiger Trust’s programs.

The National T4T Coalition also asked Congress to allocate $50 million within the Department of State to combat wildlife trafficking, a $5 million increase from last year. The good news is that USAID received $55 million to address these issues, of which $10 million will be used to combat rhino poaching.

 “It made me realize how much is being done at the federal level, and how many more opportunities remain to make an even greater impact,” said Taylor Tench of Clemson University after his trip to Washington D.C. with Tigers for Tigers.

It is a great week for tigers and international wildlife thanks our T4T clubs and your support by raising your voice for our mascot. A special thanks to the National Wildlife Refuge Association for assisting us on our D.C. trips! 

You can continue to show your support for tigers over the holidays by purchasing your Tiger Stamps at your local post office or online. Click here to learn more about our recent trip to Washington D.C. with our students!

Sincerely,

Sean Carnell

National Coordinator

NT4TC

t4tcoalition@gmail.com

College Daze: “Two: Clemson Goodnight”

By Sean Carnell

Hey Tigers! This is our first of a series of blog posts from our T4T members & fans about their college days.

Carrah Lingo, our Communication’s Associate, joined the National Tigers for Tigers Coalition in April 2014 and is now working full-time with us. Carrah graduated from Clemson University with a B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Social Sciences in May 2014. If you can ever find Carrah on Game day at Clemson, she is definitely a tiger at heart!

“As a former Clemson Tiger, I feel a sense of responsibility to do something to save our mascot from extinction. It means a lot to me to be a Clemson Tiger, but it wouldn't mean anything if they didn't exist,” said Carrah.

Carrah and I sit down to chat about Tigers for Tigers and her experiences.

S: Before we get start talking about Tigers for Tigers, let’s start with a couple of rapid-fire questions… Describe your college experience in three words:

C: Two, Clemson goodnight

S: What is your favorite restaurant in Clemson?

C: LOOSE CHANGE.

S: If you could re-live one of your college experiences again, what would that be?

C: Spring break #pcb2k13

S: What was your hardest class in college and why?

C: Accounting. It’s the whole reason I changed my minor from pre-business to social sciences. I ended up withdrawing, so does that still count?

S: Awesome! Ok, now we can move on to more questions about Tigers for Tigers. How did you get involved in the club?

C: I stumbled across the Tigers for Tigers table at Tiger Prowl, an annual organizations fair at Clemson. I wasn't really aware of the situation our mascot was in and shock value really got to me. The students were genuine and you could tell they cared about the issue. The second semester I went on trip with Clemson Tigers for Tigers to the big cat sanctuary CFAR (Central Florida Animal Reserve) and got hooked! When I returned, I ran for Public Relations officer and got the position. Senior year I was proud to call myself president for a club that worked so hard for a cause that means so much to our university.

S: Many of our students are pursuing wildlife or biology degrees. But you were a Communications Studies major. What was that experience like for you?

C: It was definitely a little intimidating to join such a science and conservation based organization. I found a way to incorporate my social media and writing skills to generate more outreach and awareness for the club, which is very important.

When you're trying to fundraise or raise awareness for such an important cause it's vital to utilize social media outlets and your campus resources. The more attention we get, the more people know about our cause. The more people who know about Tigers for Tigers, the better chance we have of saving tigers!

Tigers for Tigers is a club that gives you chance to stand out and use your strengths to grow the organization. Not a lot of on-campus organizations give you this freedom, and not a lot of on-campus organizations have students who are as passionate about the cause as students in Tigers for Tigers are.

S: What advice do you have for aspiring T4T leaders and members about T4T opportunities?

C: Tigers for Tigers is such a unique movement. You get real world experience working with students across the country to save an endangered species from going extinct. You're making a difference before you even graduate college. Whether you're interested in wildlife conservation, or marketing, if Tigers for Tigers is something you truly care about, put everything you have into it. You will be making the most important investment for your future career.

I genuinely enjoy working for the Coalition and its partners. It's not easy to find a job directly out of college today, but Tigers for Tigers provided me with the opportunity to pursue a career I'm interested in and for that I am so grateful!

I see amazing things in the near future for Tigers for Tigers. We have an awesome team of professionals ranging from the conservation world, to the marketing world who are such great assets to our organization. We're working together to rally "tigers" across the country to save our tigers in the wild, and we're committed to making T4T as successful as possible.

I’m proud to have Carrah on our team. She is a pleasure to work with, always full of great ideas, and I’m privileged that we can provide her with the opportunity to pursue her career goals and gain experience through T4T.

To hear more stories from our T4T students, follow us on facebook and twitter!

Go Tigers!

Sean Carnell

National Coordinator

NT4TC

t4tcoalition@gmail.com

1st National Tiger Awareness Week a ROARING Success!

Seven tiger-mascot schools across the nation participated in T4T’s 1^st Annual National Tiger Awareness Week from November 10^th - November 16^th. The idea was sparked at the last National T4T Summit held in Columbia, MO and is the first nationally student-led initiative for Tigers for Tigers!

The overall purpose of this week was to raise awareness on campus by engaging with students through interactive activities. One activity known as “The Tiger Skit” involves the university mascot being chased by a “poacher” in high traffic areas throughout campus. Encouraging conversation on social media, students are asked to tweet photos of the mascot using #MakeARoar. As a result, over 300 tweets were produced with the hashtag! Melissa Ventura, Towson University T4T club member said, “The Tiger Skit was a fun and creative way to bring awareness around campus regarding endangered wild tigers.” Rochester Institute of Technology’s mascot, Ritchie, even managed to make it on their local news channel, Fox Rochester WUHF, while competing in a #MascotMatchup! Click here to watch the clip.

Towson mascot, Doc, helps T4T #MakeARoar

A main focus of the week was to showcase the award-winning documentary, “The Elephant in the Living Room.” Starring Tim Harrison, Director of Outreach for Animals, this documentary explores the world of private ownership of exotic animals from both the owner’s and law enforcement’s side. Tim Harrison, expert on the removal of exotic animals, spoke at the 2^nd Annual T4T Summit at Mizzou and most recently at Clemson University for National Tiger Awareness Week. Over 100 students showed up on a Friday night at Tillman Auditorium in Clemson, SC to listen to Tim Harrison speak about the consequences of owning exotic animals, why it’s dangerous, and why it’s important to act now. Harrison said, “This is my favorite organization here in the U.S., and I’m not exaggerating, because you guys are going to pick up the baton.” Tigers for Tigers has gladly accepted that offer!

Ranging from Colorado, to Texas, all the way to New York, these universities reached a total student population of over 130,000 on their campuses. Being mostly an awareness campaign, clubs across the country still managed to raise over $1,000 to go towards tiger conservation. Organizations such as National Wildlife Refuge Association, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Big Cat Rescue and Outreach for Animals promoted the week as well, reaching out to over 1 million fans on Facebook and Twitter. Hats off to the T4T clubs at Colorado College, Trinity University, LSU, Mizzou, RIT, Towson University and Clemson University for participating in a very successful National Tiger Awareness Week!

Visit our Facebook to view more photos from the event!

Go Tigers!

Carrah Lingo

Communications Associate

NT4TC

clingo@clemson.edu 

Tigers for Tigers Hopes to #MakeARoar for Tiger Conservation

The National Tigers for Tigers Coalition will be holding its 1^st Annual National Tiger Awareness Week at various tiger mascot schools across the nation starting Monday, November 10^th through Sunday, November 16^th in hopes of raising awareness for tiger conservation.

Inspired at the 2^nd Annual National Tigers for Tigers Coalition Summit this past April, students decided to coordinate a tiger awareness week in efforts to save their mascot. Throughout the week, the Coalition hopes to amplify school spirit, increase local membership, and to share stories across social media.

College students across the nation have been working together to plan and execute this weeklong series of events. Various activities include:  “Pie an athlete in the face,” screenings of the documentary, “The Elephant in the Living Room,” and restaurant fundraisers.

“Forming just under two years ago, this first student-driven national collaboration is a big feat,”  National Tigers for Tigers Coalition Coordinator, Sean Carnell, said.  “These dedicated students are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to take part in something bigger than themselves.”

The National Tigers for Tigers Coalition is the first known organization to rally students across the country for the conservation of their mascot.  Seven universities ranging from the states of New York to Colorado and hundreds of students are working together for this event with one common goal, to save their mascot. 

”With big schools such as LSU, University of Missouri, and Clemson University, they’re sure to grab the attention of their fellow tiger fans,“  added Carnell. “When we work together, and when we can come together under a common cause, we realize that we have true power and influence to make a change.”

Founded at Clemson University in 2012, the Coalition stands 13 schools strong today. Its mission is, “to mobilize students to connect the dots through the affinity that we share for our mascot to improve the status of tigers in the wild and in captivity.

Carnell urges, “If you’re not able to physically participate in any of the schools’ events, join the conversation by tweeting @T4T_Coalition with #MakeARoar, and share why you think it’s important to save the tiger from extinction."

To learn more information about the National Tigers for Tigers Coalition, visit www.t4tcoalition.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

  

Go #MakeARoar!

Carrah Lingo

Communications Associate 

National Tigers for Tigers Coalition