Post by Lion Boss on Nov 4, 2008 18:19:28 GMT -5
Two very frequently used sources have been used in this debate. Let's take a look at both of them and weigh-in their credibilty.
Dr. Craig Packer
Craig Packer, an associate professor of biology at the University of Minnesota, has studied East Africa's lions since 1978. In general he is considered to be one of the best experts in wild lion research. Several people have emailed him directly and asked him about a Lion vs Tiger fight. Here are a couple of his replies:
Credibility: LOW
While Dr. Packer is considered to be among the most respected experts in wild lion research, he does not know much about tigers. He proved that in one of the emails where he was asked about the size advantage of a Siberian Tiger over an African Lion. He admitted that he did not know. This man knows nothing but the very basics about the tiger and thus is not qualified to make a Lion vs Tiger prediction. It should be noted that he studied wild lions. Not up close and personal contact like animal trainers do. Packer does confrim, however, that in the wild the lion would be rank over the tiger as an apex predator due to the pride life style.
Dave Salmoni
Dave Salmoni is Animal Planet's apex predator expert and is host of a number of Animal Planet and Discovery Channel programs including Rogue Nature, Predator vs. Prey, Into the Lion's Den and After the Attack, all series that he hosts and produces. He's a zoologist, a renowned animal trainer, a television presenter and a producer with his own South Africa-based production company, Triosphere. Salmoni worked extensively with both lions and tigers, both in the wild and in captivity since 1998. Dave had this to say on the subject:
Credibility: HIGH
Dave has worked directly with both lions and tigers for over 10 years. He observed them in the wild and worked as an animal trainer. At one point in his career he was even attacked by the lion he's been training for years. Salmoni is more qualified on the subject of lion vs tiger behavior as he observed the violence tendancies of both cats. It should be noted that 2 years prior to that interview he favored the tiger on the show Animal Face-Off. However, it should be noted that it was due to his recent work with tigers in Africa and the availability of another lion expert on the show. Future episodes showed Dave representing the lion, the leopard, and the jaguar.
Conclusion
Dave Salmoni is more credible then Dr. Packer on this subject since he worked closely with both cats and not just "observe them from a jeep". However, my personal favorite expert opinion is that of animal trainer Louis Roth, who once said he had "seen enough fights to conclude that none of the theories is accurate; sometimes a lion would win, sometimes a tiger".
Dr. Craig Packer
Craig Packer, an associate professor of biology at the University of Minnesota, has studied East Africa's lions since 1978. In general he is considered to be one of the best experts in wild lion research. Several people have emailed him directly and asked him about a Lion vs Tiger fight. Here are a couple of his replies:
Credibility: LOW
While Dr. Packer is considered to be among the most respected experts in wild lion research, he does not know much about tigers. He proved that in one of the emails where he was asked about the size advantage of a Siberian Tiger over an African Lion. He admitted that he did not know. This man knows nothing but the very basics about the tiger and thus is not qualified to make a Lion vs Tiger prediction. It should be noted that he studied wild lions. Not up close and personal contact like animal trainers do. Packer does confrim, however, that in the wild the lion would be rank over the tiger as an apex predator due to the pride life style.
Dave Salmoni
Dave Salmoni is Animal Planet's apex predator expert and is host of a number of Animal Planet and Discovery Channel programs including Rogue Nature, Predator vs. Prey, Into the Lion's Den and After the Attack, all series that he hosts and produces. He's a zoologist, a renowned animal trainer, a television presenter and a producer with his own South Africa-based production company, Triosphere. Salmoni worked extensively with both lions and tigers, both in the wild and in captivity since 1998. Dave had this to say on the subject:
Credibility: HIGH
Dave has worked directly with both lions and tigers for over 10 years. He observed them in the wild and worked as an animal trainer. At one point in his career he was even attacked by the lion he's been training for years. Salmoni is more qualified on the subject of lion vs tiger behavior as he observed the violence tendancies of both cats. It should be noted that 2 years prior to that interview he favored the tiger on the show Animal Face-Off. However, it should be noted that it was due to his recent work with tigers in Africa and the availability of another lion expert on the show. Future episodes showed Dave representing the lion, the leopard, and the jaguar.
Conclusion
Dave Salmoni is more credible then Dr. Packer on this subject since he worked closely with both cats and not just "observe them from a jeep". However, my personal favorite expert opinion is that of animal trainer Louis Roth, who once said he had "seen enough fights to conclude that none of the theories is accurate; sometimes a lion would win, sometimes a tiger".
