When we met the Dutch Ambassador, Andre Carstens, about a year ago, we had no idea how deeply the Sundarbans—and its iconic Bengal Tiger—would capture his heart. At the time, he had simply expressed a wish to visit the forest. That wish quickly turned into action. Not once, but twice, he journeyed into the wild, choosing two wheels over comfort, pedaling with the purpose of raising awareness and funds for tiger conservation. It wasn’t just a gesture—it was a statement.  

Through his bicycle march, and through his words and actions, the Ambassador has become more than a well-wisher. He is a true friend of tigers.

Just last Saturday, 2nd August, at the farewell reception of the Tiger Golf Club at Radisson Hotel, he sang a song he had written himself—about tigers. It was moving, heartfelt, and honest. In the presence of dignitaries, and both of us, he sang not just for the sake of song, but to ask everyone to support the work WildTeam has been doing for about two decades in the Sundarbans. That afternoon, his Tiger Song said everything we often struggle to put into words:

“Mother Nature has created

Every species on earth

In the end we’re all related

After death or before birth

But the master of the jungle

Leaving everyone behind

Makes the others feeling humble

In their fearful state of mind

…………………………………………..

…………………………………………..

Give a little leeway to the tigers

Show them some respect along the way

If we care about our future

Please, prepare the other day

Keep in mind: we owe these tigers

To be  honest in a way

Enough minerals and fibers

Not as prey, we have to pray

 …………………………………….

…………………………………….

Give a little leeway to the tigers

Show them some respect along the way

If we care about our future

And prepare the other day

Keep in mind: we owe these tigers

To be honest in a way

Enough minerals and fibers

Not as prey, we have to pray

 ……………………………………

…………………………………….”

But that was not all. At another farewell event, at the residence of WildTeam’s founder, he raised funds independently to support our work. And remarkably, he wrote songs not only for tigers but for elephants and for Bangladesh itself—songs that show a deep sense of respect, empathy, and understanding for nature and for the people of this country. His elephant song, reflective and powerful, reminds us that conservation isn’t about sympathy, it’s about responsibility. His song on Bangladesh shows how genuinely he felt connected to our people and our journey.

We will miss him—not just as a diplomat, but as a partner, an advocate, and a believer in our mission. His departure is a reminder that genuine friendships in conservation can be built across borders, languages, and cultures.

To other envoys and international friends, we would like to say: Bangladesh needs more friends of the tiger. We need more people willing to lend not just their voice, but their time, their energy, their creativity—and yes, even their pedals—to the cause of conservation.

From all of us at WildTeam, thank you, Excellency. May your path ahead be as meaningful as the journey you made into the heart of the Sundarbans. The tigers will remember you. And so will we.

Enayetullah Khan is the founder of WildTeam

Dr Md. Anwarul Islam is the CEO of WildTeam, and former Professor of Zoology, University of Dhaka