How a photojournalist’s investigation helped secure the Big Cat Public Safety Act
In short: Photographer Steve Winter and journalist Sharon Guynup spent two years investigating the captive tiger crisis in the US. Their work, which exposed the dangers of private big cat ownership, became a pivotal tool in driving legislative change.
In 2019, the number of captive tigers in the United States exceeded the total population of wild tigers globally. Steve Winter and Sharon Guynup documented how these animals were frequently held in roadside zoos or kept as private pets, creating significant safety risks for both the public and the animals. Their investigation was published in National Geographic in December 2019, predating the widespread public awareness generated by the 2020 Netflix series The Tiger King.
To influence policy, copies of the investigation were distributed to every Member of Congress. Winter’s photography was instrumental in building support among lawmakers, eventually leading to the signing of the Big Cat Public Safety Act in December 2022. This legislation prohibits the private ownership of big cats—including tigers, lions, and leopards—and restricts public contact with these species.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Tigers Next Door: Images That Changed The Law | Wildlife Photographer of the Year
- Also: www.nhm.ac.uk — Gallery | Wildlife Photographer of the Year | Natural History Museum
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