In the third grade, ten-year-old Jane read a book about poaching (偷猎) the endangered tigers and cutting down forests at will. She told her friend Holt about it and she really wanted to help save the tigers.
Despite being in elementary school, the two girls have organized fundraisers. During their first year, the girls raised $1,500 to save tigers. "We went to a zoo and asked if we could help and it became this huge fun thing. We never expected it to get so big," the girls said.
When Jane and Holt pitched their ideas in the zoo to ask for funds, their table was packed with zoo guests all afternoon. This year's goal is $2,500. Whatever they raise will be matched by the Zoological Society and all be donated to the Tiger Protection Fund.
On top of helping the animal, the girls would also be excited about their names to be proudly posted at the zoo's entrance on a sign with other donors. "If we get our names on it, it's going to feel like being famous, and it's going to be like a dream come true for us," Jane said.
They said they were close to their goal and the zoo couldn't be happier.
"Their awareness of what's happening to tigers and their wanting to educate people on what's happening to tigers are unbelievable," Kassner, an animal expert, said. "Three kinds of tigers have already died out and the remaining six are all endangered. The Tiger Girls' are bringing a big and positive effect and won't be stopping anytime soon."
"I'm so happy that we've come this far. We can do this now though we're only fifth graders and just imagine what we can do in the future," Holt said.
