The week of Monday, Nov. 10, to Friday, Nov. 14, Clemson celebrated National Tigers Awareness Week. Tigers for Tigers planned the following events in order to both educate our students about the decline of our mascot and promote the conservation of tigers in the future:
· Monday – The 3rd Annual Chicken Chowdown took place downtown at Wingin’ It. Prizes were awarded, including Visa gift cards and gift cards to local restaurants.
· Tuesday – McKissick Theatre in the Hendrix Student Center held a free viewing of “The Elephant in the Living Room.” This popular documentary featuring Tim Harrison exposed the shocking reality of private ownership of exotic animals.
· Wednesday – Tigers, and poachers, and park rangers! Oh my! A mad chase across campus occurred between the poacher and the tiger. A park ranger, who intervened and saved our mascot, brought attention to tiger conservation. It was a big social media event.
· Thursday – Tigers for Tigers hosted a Tiger Fest at the Carillon Gardens. Various environmental clubs were also present, along with free T-shirts, free food, and face painting.
· Friday – Tim Harrison gave a presentation in Tillman Auditorium to conclude the week. Being an acclaimed animal rescue expert, Harrison provided insight into the steps which must be taken to secure the existence of tigers.
Overall, the week alerted the student body to the severe endangerment of our mascot – there are only 3,200 tigers left in the wild. Check out Clemson’s Tigers for Tigers website to learn how to get involved.
Photos courtesy of Sierra Hoisington, Clemson’s Tigers for Tigers Coalition liaison