The Importance of Conservation
In the world of nature, a complex balance exists between all living things. The existence of animals and plants is interconnected, so events that affect one species have a corresponding affect on other species within the same community or ecosystem. Some animals depend on plants for food while others rely on other animals for their food.
Man has caused great harm to the delicate balance the last 100 years. Illegal trade, logging, hunting and poaching has devastated natural habitats and caused a major threat to many animals. Fortunately, groups such as the World Wildlife Fund, the Siberian Tiger Project, the World Conservation Union in New Delhi, India’s Tiger Project, the Timbavati Nature Reserve and Johannesburg Zoological Gardens, the Cincinnati Zoological Society and Siegfried & Roy have all been actively involved in attempting to curtail this chaos for more than 20 years.
“Nature is an incredibly powerful magician, but, sadly, man has found ways to defeat this magic with a dark power of ruin,” says Roy. “People are destroying the animals’ habitats and hunting them for sport. We must all work to change how our civilization looks at these creatures that share our Earth.
“We are only visitors on Earth and must show each other respect. We must concern ourselves for those yet to come. We must realize that if we continue the unnecessary elimination of these magnificent beasts, future generations will not be able to experience them except through books, pictures and video. This would be a great shame!”
Audiences at the Siegfried & Roy Theatre at The Mirage get to witness the true beauty and magic of nature. Siegfried & Roy have committed their lives – in time and money – to help bring back from extinction the Royal White Tigers and Magical White Lions. Their conservation efforts are 24 hours a day. Visitors to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage learn more about these majestic and exotic animals and view them almost nose-to-nose.
“We do not preach, but we attempt to use our stage and the Secret Garden to bring greater awareness to the public,” says Siegfried. “We’re able to educate our audiences through entertainment about the plight of our animal family and others like them throughout the world.”
The magnificent animals that share the stage with Siegfried & Roy send us a message…their beauty and regal majesty communicate better than any words ever could. They remind us all that we cannot take nature for granted. We must treasure it as the rare and precious jewel that it is.
On stage, Siegfried & Roy make white tigers disappear and reappear. In real life, it takes a great deal more time, energy and effort. Their involvement with conservation and preservation has spanned more than 20 years and in this time they have raised 53 white tigers and 19 white lions.
“We had dreams that this would be possible, but the satisfaction has been the accomplishment,” adds Roy. “It’s like watching children grow…being there from birth and throughout their life. They bring the same joy, pride and love.”
Mother Nature took centuries to foster these species that now, with the assistance of man, slowly face extinction.
“We are trying to help restore the ecological balance that our fellow man has destroyed,” explains Siegfried. “We knew from the start that our lifetime would only be the beginning. We are laying the groundwork, building a strong foundation so that the white tiger and white lion will thrive in this century and beyond.”
