Tiger farming

Press, 2 April 1980, Page 24

Tiger farming

Sir, — If is with alarm that I read (“The Press,” April 1) the proposal by a group of Christchurch businessmen to set up Bengal farming in Canterbury. In justification they claim there exists a high export demand for the aphrodisiac properties, of processed tiger whiskers to Asian outlets. As our Asian neighbours are breeding at an alarming rate, I fail to see their need for such a product from a group of under-populated South Pacific Islands. I note it is registered as a “no liability company.” Should any of these tigers escape it could well become the straw to break the camel’s back of the accident compensation scheme. I am at a loss _to understand the need to import tigers at all, when we have our native species known as “paper”, tigers prowling menacingly about the corridors or dozing in their lairs in the : - extension to the Wellington zoo called the Beehive. — Yours, etc.,

JAMES J. DUNCAN. April 1,-1980,

Sir, — Thank heaven the Canterbury Tiger Products no liability company will collapse on April 2. Genuine animal lovers, being usually generous, will probably accept your very clever article at their expense in the spirit inwhich one hopes it was written. — Yours, etc " MARGARET MAYER. April 1, 1980.