In anticipation of World Tiger Day, esteemed British headmaster, Paul Goldstein, is making headlines with his extraordinary 1,000-mile walk for tigers. After traversing 500 grueling miles across Britain with a nine-foot tiger strapped to his back, Goldstein will reach the halfway point of his journey in Southend-on-Sea on Tuesday, July 28th.
Joining Goldstein for the 25-mile stage from Maldon to Southend is his long-time friend and BBC wildlife presenter, Michaela Strachan. Strachan expressed her support for Goldstein, stating, “I’m doing this to support one of my more eccentric friends (I have a few). Paul may be slightly bonkers, but he is passionate, determined, and inspirational, and has fought to be a voice for the voiceless raising hundreds of thousands for tiger conservation: educating and inspiring people with every step of his crazy challenge. I have huge admiration for that.”
The duo will set off at 8:00 am from The Moot Hall in Maldon, arriving at Southend Central Station approximately eight to ten hours later. Upon their arrival, they will be greeted by members of the Welwyn Garden City Male Voice Choir, who will welcome them with The Proclaimers’ hit song, “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” This celebration marks the halfway point of Goldstein’s 42-day journey, during which he has been walking the equivalent of a marathon every day. To date, the challenge has covered over one million steps.
The 2 Legs for 4 challenge, in support of Norfolk conservation charity Explorers Against Extinction, aims to raise £50,000 for two frontline conservation projects protecting tigers and the communities that live alongside them. With over £13,000 already raised and an additional £10,000 in matched funding, organisers are hopeful that the halfway point will bring them closer to their goal.
Throughout the journey, Goldstein, a 63-year-old wildlife guide, photographer, and conservationist, has carried a 13kg tiger with him. This tiger, measuring nine feet from top to tail, is based on a photograph Goldstein took of a wild Bengal tigress in India in 2005. The tiger, named “Minty,” has accompanied Goldstein on fifty marathons, including the Everest Marathon and a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. However, this 1,000-mile walk is their most challenging adventure yet.
Goldstein explains his motivation for the journey, stating, “Over the past three weeks, thousands of people have stopped to ask ‘Why?’ It is a simple answer: we are not winning the battle with endangered species. There are more tigers in backwater US apartments than there are in the wild. There are also plenty of body parts in unspeakable wet markets in China, as well as plenty of these striped cats kept in ghastly SE Asian holding facilities. It is easy to be sanctimoniously rage-filled from behind a keyboard, perhaps harder to literally get some skin in this parlous game. This brings money, awareness, and pragmatic solutions to a scandalous problem that should not exist.”
Goldstein began his journey in Holyhead, Anglesey, on July 7th, during the summer heatwave. Despite overcoming a chest infection, navigating overgrown footpaths with ferocious brambles, and coping with unreliable mobile signal in remote areas, Goldstein remains determined. His legs are heavily strapped, he has to stop to stretch his aching lower back, and he relies on a bowl of iced water each lunchtime to soothe his battered feet before continuing on his journey.
Unfortunately, Minty has not escaped unscathed either. During a stop on the Norfolk coast, the tiger was mauled by a dog, and its creator, Liz Putland, was called upon to carry out emergency repairs to its ears and tail.
However, the support from the public, as well as the generous donations, have kept Goldstein going. He shares, “People stop and offer drinks, ice creams, cake, yesterday Prosecco, money, lifts! (refused) and vocal encouragement. Messages have been scrawled in the sand with money pinned down by pebbles, people squeal to a stop, and when they hear why I’m doing this, their largesse is often overwhelming. It makes such a difference, particularly as the conditions have been so fiercely hot. They often say, ‘you must be hurting?’ I am. But consider this: I’m far better off than a poor tiger incarcerated in some hideous Chinese holding facility, with a tiny play area and nothing to look forward to except a lifetime of performing for ogling tourists. Angry? You should be. I am, ever since, almost thirty years ago, I found that my first wild tiger, a huge male, was poached, and
