Pigeons & Tigers

We had 2 days of warmer temperatures and rain. Lots of rain. Today, it's back to 20 degree weather.

The death of Mr. Zeman, the pigeon man of Lincoln Square was a little ironic because I had been wanting to do a post about pigeons and began researching pigeons when Mr. Zeman died. His death prompted many heartfelt condolences at Eric Zorn's column and responses from a couple of very angry people who are angry about pigeons. If pigeons are the worst calamity in your life, I say you have a very good life!

The following article appeared in today's New York Times. Siberian or Amur tigers are highly endangered, as all tiger species are today. They are worth so much more dead than alive. It is very sad a tiger in a zoo was targeted.

The Amur Tiger is included in the Species Survival Program at North American zoos. North American zoos are helping to keep the genetic pool of this endangered species thriving.

You can get free tiger pictures at the Save the Tiger Fund website.

BEIJING (AP) -- Police were searching for the culprits behind the beheading and skinning of a rare Siberian tiger at a zoo in central China, state media reported Sunday.

The female tiger was found with its head, legs and skin missing Thursday morning at the Three Gorges Forest Wild Animal World in Yichang city in Hubei province, Xinhua News Agency.

It said the locks of the tiger's cage were broken and that police found four homemade anesthetic rifles near the cage.

''It is highly possible that the killer or killers broke into the room, anesthetized the tiger, opened the cage and then dragged the animal out of the room and butchered it,'' Xinhua quoted one unnamed official as saying.

Tiger skins are sold on the black market in China, and tiger parts are used in traditional medicines.

Calls to the zoo rang unanswered on Sunday. A man at the Forestry Bureau of Yichang city confirmed the killing and said an investigation was under way. He refused to give his name.

The WWF conservation group lists the Siberian tiger as ''critically endangered'' and says there are only about 530 of the animals alive in the wild. Most live in the far east of Russia or northeast China.

Hundreds more live in captivity. Xinhua said China has established breeding bases to help protect the animals.

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