Feature Stories
Save Wild Tigers
ENVIRONMENT 5 November 2014
Not one individual organisation or nation can save the wild tiger alone. On the back of the world’s biggest ever conservation event at London’s St Pancras International Station a year ago, the global charity initiative, Save Wild Tigers, visited the shores of Malaysia with a five-day programme culminating in a gala dinner, The Majestic Tiger Ball, called “INSPIRE”.
INSPIRE is a collection of once-in-a-lifetime events showcasing a collection of spectacular art using a variety of exciting mediums, the exhibition combined work from some of Malaysia’s most talented artists as well as those from the UK, including the highly acclaimed Lauren Baker who exhibited her stunning Crystal Tigress head, made up of 52,000 Swarovski crystals and was showcased in the exclusive luxury mall Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur from 11 to 30 September 2014.
This event was sponsored by YTL Hotels - The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur in continuing to do their part to support Save Wild Tigers. The dinner set to be a sensational combination of elegance and inspiration with guests including international celebrities, ambassadors, and also the dinner’s Royal Patron – Her Royal Highness the Sultanah of Pahang, Sultanah Kalsom. A series of exquisite pieces of entertainment were also ran throughout the evening with Professor Dato’ (Dr) Jimmy Choo, OBE as Fashion Patron.
Joining the Gala Dinner at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur were international visitors and celebrities on a very special “Eastern & Oriental Tiger Express” train journey from Singapore, on route to Penang and Bangkok. In addition to royalty, celebrity guests such as Professor Dato’ (Dr) Jimmy Choo, world famous TV fashion personality Gok Wan and UK actress Jaime Winstone were in attendance and Malaysian singing sensations Ning Baizura, Amanda Imani, Jaclyn Victor and Natasha Sass all performed on the night alongside global music sensation Leee John from Imagination Fame and American stars Pure Energy. Guests were also treated to a beautiful performance by ballerina Maria Sascha Khan from the English National Ballet who wowed the crowd with her performance of 'The Dying Swan', choreographed by Mikhail Fokine in 1905 to music by Camille Saint - Saen's. DJs Harimau Malaya De Rajj, Panthera Najee and Jungle Jazzie Jay played until the early hours and a truly brilliant night was had by all.
Other than eye-catching performances, tiger-inspired art pieces created by local and international artists and sculptors were also auctioned at The Majestic Tiger Ball reception and gala dinner on 3 October 2014. Under this initiative, the event has successfully raised approximately USD200,000 for Save Wild Tigers.
It is critically important to work with local Malaysian and global conservation charities to fight the reversal of the tigers’ gradual demise to Save Wild Tigers. There are currently just an estimated 3,500 tigers left in the wild globally, of which around 300 are Malayan Tigers. The profits that gained from Save Wild Tigers will go directly to targeted tiger conversation programmes including:
• Doubling Malayan tiger numbers in the Endau Rompin Landscape in the Johor and Pahang areas of peninsular Malaysia. Wildlife Conservation Society of Malaysia (WCS) projects monitor tiger populations, train teachers in environmental education, maintain & establish habitat corridors and carry out on the ground patrols to prevent poaching.
• Investigations and campaigns on the illegal trade in tiger parts and products run by the Environmental Impact Assessment. Investigators work undercover in dangerous circumstances to gather evidence of the illegal tiger trade across South East Asia which provides evidence for law enforcement agencies.
• The Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme which managed by Born Free Foundation which works to engage communities, secure crucial tiger habitat, tackle wildlife crime and monitor tiger populations in one of the most important tiger habitats left in the world.
Find out more : http://www.savewildtigers.org/