It took five years and three trips to India to track down the “People of the Wild Tiger”.

My first ray of hope regarding the tragedy of tiger extinction came during a Safari in 2013. Our guide told us they saw the end of poaching in the large tiger refuge, Ranthambhore Park, when re-located forest tribes were presented with alternative jobs.

 

Dhonk Craft Shop, near the park, trains families to create and sell crafts. The revenue they earn from tourist money supports village communities, thus eliminating the need to poach. I wanted to know more…

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In 2015, I met Vallish Vaasuki Kaushik in Bangalore, an energetic, tireless spokesman for conservation, director of “Watchers India Trust” and “Eco Brain” NGOs.

In 2017, Vallish assisted us in obtaining and translating interviews with Soliga priests and villagers who lived near the BRT Tiger Reserve. Everyone we interviewed was generous, and had fascinating stories to share.

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Vipul Jain of Sawai Madhopur, a naturalist/guide who works with the forest department of Rajasthan, took us on safaris into the forest, and to remote areas to film wildlife.  He introduced us to an ex-poaching family he knew, and helped us interview them and translate Hindi to English.