Wildlife guide, photographer and conservationist Paul Goldstein is stopping off in Tavistock this weekend (September 5-6) on a 1,000-mile cross-England trek with teeth – with a 13kg, nine-foot toy tiger strapped to his back.

He welcomes residents to join him on his trek, called 2 Legs for 4, which aim to raise £50,000 for frontline tiger conservation projects in India and Bhutan.

Supported by UK conservation charity Explorers Against Extinction, the challenge is raising awareness of the threats facing wild tigers, while funding practical conservation initiatives that protect both the species and the communities living alongside them.

Paul said: “I saw my first tiger in '98, it left an indelible mark on me, even more so when I learned it had been poached, the rage-laced fuse it lit is still burning. In 2022 I waited a whole afternoon in 40 degrees at a Bandhavgarh waterhole waiting for a mother to show. She didn't. The next morning she did and for a few seconds it was magical.”

Explorers Against Extinction supports more than 50 frontline conservation projects across 35 countries. Through art, photography, education and responsible wildlife travel, the charity inspires positive action for nature, raising awareness and funds to protect endangered species, restore ecosystems and support communities living alongside wildlife.

Paul’s walk is split into two 500-mile stages: leg one, Holyhead to Southend, completed in July, and the current leg Southend-on-Sea to Land's End, finishing on Saturday, September 12.

The £50,000 fundraising target will support solar lighting for villages and forest camps around Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and a camera-trap study in Bhutan, documenting mountain habitat where wild tigers and snow leopards coexist.

On his walk so far, he taken more than one million steps carrying the tiger, raised more than £35,000 towards the £50,000 target and been joined by hundreds of supporters along the route, including at one time his good friend, BBC wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan.

Paul Goldstein, 63, said: "Many would say this is utterly foolish. They may be right. But Bengal tigers are still endangered. Their body parts are still harvested for so-called traditional Chinese medicine. That's an abomination. You don't need to have seen a tiger in the wild to feel angry about that, but it helps.”

The tiger has joined him on 50 marathons, including the toughest, the Everest Marathon, and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, but this 1,000-mile walk is by far their greatest challenge together.

Wild tigers now occupy less than ten per cent of their historic range. fewer than 6,000 tigers remain in the wild. Habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade and conflict with people continue to threaten their future.

Paul is expected expected to arrive in Tavistock at the junction of Canal Road and Plymouth Road on Saturday, September 5 between 6pm and 7pm. on his Moretonhampstead-to-Tavistock leg, about 850 miles into his 1,000 mile challenge. He can be joined and tracked at this link: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/31525835/day-35--moretonhampstead-to-tavistock

On Sunday, September 6, he starts his Tavistock-to-Liskeard leg at 8am at the junction of Plymouth Road and Canal Road, Tavistock. Track him here: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/31525878/day-36-tavistock-to-liskeard

Donations welcome to Paul’s campaign at this link:https://explorersagainstextinction.enthuse.com/cf/2-legs-for-4

Paul Goldstein is due to pass through Tavistock this weekend (September 5/6) with a nine-ft toy tiger strapped to his back in aid of wildlife conservation. Paul is pictured making friends with a pet dog.
Tiger conservation campaigner Paul Goldstein is due to pass through Tavistock this weekend (September 5-6) with a nine-foot toy tiger strapped to his back in aid of wildlife conservation. Paul is pictured making friends with a pet dog. (Submitted)
Paul Goldstein is stopping off in Tavistock on his 1,000-mile walk with a toy tiger strapped to his back in aid of tiger conservation. He is pictured with wildlife broadcaster Michael Strachan.
Paul Goldstein pictured with wildlife broadcaster Michaela Strachan and others on his epic walk. Picture: 2 legs for 4. (2 Legs for 4)
Paul Goldstein is stopping off in Tavistock on his 1,000-mile walk with a toy tiger strapped to his back in aid of tiger conservation. He is pictured earlier on his walk with some helpful police officers.
Paul pictured earlier on his walk with some helpful police officers. Picture: 2 Legs for 4 (Submitted)
Paul Goldstein will visit Tavistock this weekend (September 5/6) while on his way to Liskeard for a 1,000-mile sponsored walk with a toy tiger on his back to raise money for wildlife conservation.
Paul Goldstein, en route for Tavistock with a toy tiger on his shoulders, encounters some cows. (2 Legs for 4)