What to Read If You’ve Watched Netflix’s “Tiger King”
Netflix’s true-crime docuseries, “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” took the world by storm (and here in Singapore too), sparking internet memes which include the most polarising divide yet: Team Carole Baskins versus Team Joe Exotic.
While most documentaries advocate a clear message through means of persuasion, “Tiger King” is a quagmire of moral conundrums. What starts off as a conversation for animal rights and ethics becomes much more, once the metaphorical claws come out. Underneath the hedonistic entertainment provided by human drama, the documentary unearths a hotbed of issues like drug addiction, poverty and depression.
The unfortunate result is that the animals, which should have taken centre stage, are side-lined and the alleged animal abuse in these exotic animal zoos, which is hinted at in the footage, all but forgotten.
To fill in the ethical gap left behind by “Tiger King”, here are three books that shed more light on what actually happens to captive animals in zoos.
1. Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity by David Kirby
One of the most famous marine parks in the world, SeaWorld strives for an image of wholesome family fun. But beyond this sprightly exterior lies a much darker backstory of the controversial and lethal ramifications of keeping orcas in captivity. Death at SeaWorld recounts the battle between SeaWorld and animal rights activists that spanned over two decades, exacerbated by trainer Dawn Brancheau’s high-profile death in 2010 during a performance with Tilikum the orca. David Kirby’s book is an eye-opening chronicle of the brutal realities of animals in captivity and the risks of having them perform for human pleasure.
Get the eBook here.
2. Zoo Story: Life in the Garden of Captives by Thomas French
Based on six years of research, Zoo Story chronicles the remarkable lives of animal inhabitants at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, from Herman, King of the Chimpanzees with an inexplicable attraction for blondes, to Enshala, the Sumatran Tiger who enjoys the scent of Obsession perfume around her grotto. Thomas French, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, masterfully discusses with acute perception humanity’s role in the destruction and survival of animals.
Get the eBook here.
3. Blood of the Tiger: A Story of Conspiracy, Greed, and the Battle to Save a Magnificent Species by J. A. Mills
Despite the fact that there are only three thousand wild tigers left in the world, there exists a thriving trade where tigers are bred like livestock to supply a luxury-goods industry selling tiger-bone wine, tiger-skin décor, and exotic cuisine enjoyed by China’s elite. J. A. Mills provides a gripping first-hand account of the ramifications behind illegal poaching, wildlife trafficking, animal breeding and its trade, that will wrench your heart and shock your entire being.
Get the eBook here.
All books featured are available via the NLB Mobile app or at our public libraries.
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Text by
Meryl Chin
National Library Board
