Jenny Cottle
When reading environmental news it is all too easy to think there is no good news around, but there is. In my experience small acts can make a big difference to the lives of animals.
I would like to share something wonderful that happened as a result of an action I initiated.
Some years ago, concerned about the treatment of the temple tigers in Thailand I started an online petition to ask Flight Centre and Qantas to stop promoting their Thailand tiger temple tours until the monks in charge of the temples put more of their donations toward the welfare of the animals in their care. At the time I did not realise that my voice would turn into one of many, but together with others we helped encourage Flight Centre and Qantas to change.
But this was only part of the story. Sometime later I received an email from a lady in Thailand who had seen my petition, asking if I knew a reputable sanctuary that could take three tiger cubs that she knew had been taken from the wild.
I contacted someone I knew at Taronga Zoo in Sydney who put me in touch with their big cat head keeper. The keeper in turn got in touch with the Freeland Foundation who works with the Thai government to stop tiger trafficking in Thailand – including catching and charging poachers. The Freedom Foundation contacted me and I was able to pass them on to the lady in Thailand.
All of this happened just because I took a little time to voice my concerns and which also enabled the voices of others to be heard. It has cemented my resolve to keep speaking out – signing petitions, writing letters and posts.
I also keep in mind the words of William James, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” Try it you’ll be pleasantly surprised, if not amazed.
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