There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
You recently contacted me in a PM. I responded and you sent another PM. When reading it, two of our mods told me you had broken (at least) one of our rules (referring to the multiple account rule). The result was an automatic ban and the end of our conversation.
Here's a bit more about your response to my PM. In that PM, questions were asked. I didn't tell you it wasn't about (the answers to) these questions, but about something else. The result was interesting. I'm referring to your remarks about an internal affair (1) and a few exceptional lions in southern Africa (2).
About internal affairs
Internal affairs are internal, meaning they're none of your business. When you can't control the urge to post about an issue, the advice is to read everything that could be relevant before deciding for an opinion. Whatever you do, never ever address a mod or one of the co-owners. If you have a question, contact a mod.
As to Guate and PC. Both were here from the start. Guate was a mod and PC was offered moderation. Meaning they, to put it mildly, were respected. Most unfortunately, they seemed to change over the years. I'm referring to countless incorrect assumptions, insults and deliberate misinformation. Not seldom, the result was animosity. When trying to solve the problem, I was dismissed and that was the end of it. Over here, rules count. No exceptions. I repeat our aims are good information and respect. Respect for good info, other members and mods. If good advice is ignored and a warning has no effect, the result will be a ban or an invitation to move. Both Guate and PC got an invitation.
About posting, measurements and references
Over here, members posting about the size of big cats are expected to deliver sources. You know, but never delivered. Not in Wildfact and not in the other forums you joined. Same for your PM (seea bove). Meaning problems have to be respected. Do we want to attract those involved in speculation or those interested in good information and willing to play by the book?
About the difference between wild big cats and their relatives living in private reserves
Wildfact is about wild animals, not their captive relatives. We don't mind good info about the size of adult captive animals, but the aim is good information about the size of their wild relatives. With 'wild', we mean animals living in natural conditions.
Example. Let's take lions. The question is if there's, sizewise, a difference between wild lions, their captive relatives and lions living in private reserves (referring to southern Africa in particular)? Some years ago, a thesis was published. Meaning the information published is reliable. The answer, to return to the size question, is affirmative. Is the difference significant? Affirmative again.
In my PM, I informed you about the thesis. You didn't ask for a link, but decided for an opinion right away and continued about the giants like before. Meaning trouble is to be expected.
About the size of captive and wild big cats
You most probably know I measured captive big cats some years ago. Apart from that, I talked to those who hunted them a long time ago. I also interviewed trainers, vets, directors of facilities, biologists interested in big cats and conservators of natural history museums. All of them had seen many big cats, meaning they knew a few things about the size of these animals. They, to keep it short, roughly confirmed the information collected by reliable observers and hunters a century ago. A healthy adult captive male tiger or lion of 400 pounds (empty) and 9 feet in total length measured in a straight line with a steel tape is an impressive animal. Large individuals can exceed 10 feet and 550 pounds empty, but they're few and far between.
Any difference between lions and tigers? Not at the level of species (referring to the situation after tigers were extermined in Bali, the Caspian region and central and southeastern China), but subspecies seem to be more pronounced in tigers. Meaning it's more likely to find an exceptional individual in, say, Nepal, northern India, northeastern China and southeastern Russia than in, say, southern Africa. At the level of species, there's not much to choose between both.
About the effect of private facilities in lions
The main thing to remember is just about anything is possible in private reserves. More food, better conditions and, in particular, less competition have an effect. Compared to an average healthy adult Kruger male (about 420 pounds or 190 kg), an average male lion living in a private reserve is larger in nearly all respects (also referring to the thesis mentioned above).
About the effect of conditions in Amur tigers
In the period 1992-2004 (referring to tigers captured in the Sichote-Alin Biosphere Reserve only), males (referring to young adults, adults and old tigers) ranged between 140-212 kg. The average of a very limited number of males (including young adults) was about 9 feet 8 inches (total length measured 'over curves' with a flexible tape) and 176,4 kg (389 pounds). Two decades later, Feng Limin (a Chinese biologist who knows quite a bit about wild Amur tigers), in an interview, said a male of 270 kg (596 pounds) had been captured in northeastern China not so long ago. Another male was about 250 kg (552 pounds), whereas a male about 3 years of age arrested for domestic violence a few years ago was 225 kg (496 pounds). That's still without the Anyuisky (Khabarovsky Krai) male tigers leaving prints with a 'heel width' of 14-16 cm. The 'heel width' of an average adult male, for comparison, ranges between 10-12 cm.
A result of protection and better conditions only? Very likely.
About membership of Wildfact
Our aim is to present good information about (the status and plight of) wild animals. Nothing more and nothing less. Mods make sure the rules of engagement will be respected by all at all times.
In spite of your reputation, Sanjay thinks you deserve another chance. The mods, for good reasons, have a somewhat different opinion. After a sitdown, an agreement was reached. You can join, but the condition is a watchlist. This means every contribution will be read. If the mod team agrees, you contribution will be posted. If they don't, you'll be contacted.
All this still is without the rules of engagement (and the multiple account rule in particular). Our advice is to use your own name only.
