IamA Portugal. The Man + Smithsonian’s National Zoo Sumatran Tiger Curator: #EndangeredSong Project AMA!

Since every question in here so far is for the band:

Hi Craig!

• How did you name the new baby tigers?

• How do their personalities differ from a housecat?

• What are the most significant challenges in creating and maintaining a habitat for the tigers?

• do you do anything special to try and replicate the conditions of the wild for them?

How did you name the new baby tigers?: One tiger was named by an auction winner---Sukacita which means joy in Indonesian. Bandar was named by our keepers and it's a port city in Sumatra. How do their personalities differ from a housecat?: Does not differ much just on a larger scale. Each of our tigers has their own personality. Damai (mom) is relaxed and carefree. Sukacita is reserved but playful with her bro--she is also a mama's girl. Bandar is very chill but a boy who likes to antagonize his mom and sister. This all may change as they grow. What are the most significant challenges in creating and maintaining a habitat for the tigers?: Creating a habitat that has appropriate containment is a challenge---we use a water moat here and strategically placed fencing. do you do anything special to try and replicate the conditions of the wild for them?: Try to give them opportunities to behave similar to the wild---we can't replicate the wild. Try to give them all the opps to use their senses the way they would in the wild. Through enrichment toys, feeding strategies etc.

what can I, a random dude on the internet, help with saving the sumatran tigers? Thank you guys for the awesome music, American ghetto is my favorite album!

Thanks for asking! Here are some pointers beyond finding and sharing the #EndangeredSong!: 1) Do not support the illicit tiger trade by purchasing anything made with tiger pelts/skins, bone, meat etc. 2) Many products – especially food – are made with palm oil. Palm oil is produced in tiger-range countries and plantations can sometimes threaten valuable tiger habitat. Look for sustainable palm oil = wildlife friendly. 3) Learn about tigers and support the conservation efforts to save them—such as the Global Tiger Initiative which is working to double the number of wild tigers by 2022. 4) 6. Donate and support the National Zoo’s tiger conservation and outreach efforts: You can help here http://s.si.edu/1mA1zyf

How did you come up with the idea? Whose idea it was?

Of all the endangered animals in the world, what is it about the Sumatran tiger that compelled you guys to write a song to try and save them from extinction?

You probably know what the Smithsonian is, but may not know the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are part of it----so much more than museums. We have expert scientists that are working to save species around the world. Our goal was to tell our conservation story to new and different audiences. DDB Advertising provided pro bono services and helped us create the #EndangeredSong campaign. It blends science and music together to grab people’s attention about the critically endangered Sumatran Tiger. They love wildlife. We save wildlife. Great fit. Everyone can actually DO something to prevent extinction…whether it’s for a tiger or a song.

Why did you choose to support tigers instead of another animal native to your home that is in fear of being extinct? Don't get me wrong, I love tigers, but you guys are always "So Alaskan"... See what I did there

tigers are super badass. we are trying to think outside of our home, but obviously support conservation efforts up there as well. z

I agree. You should see one kill a Sambar deer (in the wild, not at the Zoo). I am a tiger nerd.

Was there a defining moment where y'all came up with the idea for only releasing 400 albums or was it a long process? As in, did one day did someone just say "let's make an endangered song and release 400 copies since there are only 400 tigers?" Who reached out to who?

Also, John, I have kind of a huge favor to ask. Is there any possible way that you could draw a tattoo for me? I absolutely love P.tM and all the artwork you do with The Fantastic The and was planning on getting a PtM related tattoo anyways. But a personalized would would obviously be much more bitchin'. Can't wait to be seeing y'all next Saturday in Knoxville!!

We think about the 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild all the time. We created a campaign and decided to build it around raising awareness for the tigers as they are captivating, beautiful animals. The Zoo worked with DDB NY who connected us to Portugal. The Man and they jumped in to help us.

Hello! What can we, normal everyday people, do to help stop the extinction of not just the Sumatran Tiger, but all Tigers in general? It is to my knowledge that the whole species is in trouble. Is this true?

Share the #EndangeredSong! =) Don't buy anything made with tiger parts. Look for products made with sustainable palm oil. Support the Global Tiger Initiative. You can also support the Zoo's conservation and outreach efforts here: http://s.si.edu/1mA1zyf

Will the Smithsonian name any future baby tigers after you guys? Seems fair... Just wanted to say that you guys have gotten me excited about music again. Come to Florida, please!

Anything is possible.

Of all the endangered animals in the world, what is it about the Sumatran tiger that compelled you guys to write a song to try and save them from extinction?

From the Zoo's perspective---We work to study and breed so many endangered species but we thought Sumatran tigers are so charismatic (e.g. pretty gorgeous) and people will shocked to learn there are only 400 left in the wild. Tigers are an umbrella species. Saving tigers mean saving their habitats. If we save tigers we will save much more than just them--their ecosystem and the other species in it.

Hi guys, two questions:

1. The song "Modern Jesus" is one of my favorites. Do you had any insight into its meaning that you would like to share?

2. For all the cynics, why should we care about saving the Sumatran tiger? What makes this animal special and important?

Every animal is special and important. To see that an animal is on the brink of extinction and do nothing is irresponsible and makes me feel like less of a human. Tigers are more symbolic, it's not just about Sumatran tigers, it's stopping the extinction of a fellow species. It could be giant pandas. It could be cheetahs. It could be Cuban croc.

The endangered song has obvious inspiration, and some of your other songs are about your home state of Alaska. Where else do you all pull your inspiration for your songs?

I'm stoked to see you guys play in Virginia on Tuesday!

You can also see them at the National Zoo on Mon May 12!

Have you gotten the chance to pet one of the tigers??

The only time we get our hands on the tigers is when they are very young. At about 12 weeks old we stop as they are too big as they are tigers, dangerous.

Hello, big Portugal. The Man fan here. I actually had the once in a lifetime experience of seeing a Sumatran tiger in the wild when I was on a business trip in Indonesia. We took a few boat tours near Sumatra and saw a wild tiger in the water. My question, what is more important to the cause, raising money and support or spreading education and trying to solve the underlying cause of the hunting of these tigers?

Equally important, can't separate them. We need to do both. $ is great but ignorance is deadly.

I've said it on your facebook, and I will say it in here again: this is probably the most original campaign I have seen afiliated with music, since I was born. And it's also a very important topic too, so, congratulations to Smithsonian for the idea, and thank you to Portugal. The Man for making excellent music, and for associating it with this awesome campaign.

Also, why don't you guys play in Portugal more often, we would really apreciate it! :)

Thanks so much for the feedback. Bringing science and art together was inspiring to us and we now know inspiring to all of you. We are working to motivate the next gen of conservationists---and perhaps another great cats curator.

As an environmental science student and a huge Portugal. The man fan, this project is phenomenal to me. Thank you so much for raising awareness about the harsh reality of where our world is going if we don’t make a change. The degradable record is an awesome metaphor for it. You guys are amazing. What exactly was it that inspired you to begin this project and how did you end up coming together with the National Zoo and the Conservation Biology Institute?

I know I am not the band but thanks for the feedback on the campaign. Psyched to learn you are an enviro science student. Our goal was to raise awareness for conservation science and the Sumatran tiger. DDB NY provided pro bono services and psyched to partner with Portugal. The Man to make it happen.

What sort of things is the National Zoo doing to preserve this species? Also, I think this concept of an "endangered song" is amazing. Would you guys consider doing projects like this for other species of endangered animals?

The Sumatran tigers at the Nat Zoo are part of an insurance population. Sumatran tigers living in zoos around the world will be all we have left if the species goes extinct in the wild. There are 400 in the wild, and fewer than that in accredited zoos. As a partner in the Global Tiger Initiative, our scientists also work in Asia helping people on the front lines of tiger conservation protect them. They help train people charged with protecting tiger habitats to use the latest technology to patrol. That technology creates maps and helps the frontline people patrol where they are needed most. It’s not the sexiest job in conservation, but it’s really important.

How was it to see these tigers up close??

Being able to be close to a Sumatran tiger is actually sobering. You know how beautiful they are, up close you can see their power. By sobering, I mean it emphasizes our place in the evolutionary food chain.