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Tigers are symbolic of progress, strength,
courage and luck. These beautiful big cats
are highly revered and serve as national
icons for Malaysia, India, and Bangladesh.
Unfortunately, if you ask many children
today where tigers come from, they will tell
you 'the zoo'. Habitat degradation and
hunting pressures are heavily influencing
the tiger's near extinction in the wild.
Since 2010 is the year of the tiger,
according to the Chinese zodiac, I felt it
paramount to discuss this issue in NEPS blog
forum, as there is hope for this magnificent
animal.
There are only an estimated 3,200 tigers
left in the wild in 13 range states that
include China, Viet Nam, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Russia, Laos PDR, Cambodia,
Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India, and Nepal. Originally there were nine
sub-species of tiger, of which only six
remain today: the Bengal tiger, Indochinese
tiger, Malayan tiger, Sumatran tiger,
Siberian tiger, and South China tiger. Today
there are more captive tigers in the USA
than there are tigers in the wild!
Primary threats to tigers in the wild are
habitat degradation and loss. In addition,
the illegal trade in tigers and tiger parts
is greatly contributing to their decline.
The trade in tiger parts is fueled mostly by
the demand for parts to be used in
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Tiger
parts and derivatives are believed to have
powerful medicinal properties and are used
to treat an array of conditions including
leprosy, cancers, rheumatism, skin diseases,
cataracts, muscle aches and malaria.
All tiger sub-species are listed on Appendix
I in the Convention on the Trade of
Endangered Species of Wild Fuana and Flora
(CITES). This categorization prohibits all trade for
commercial purposes. All 13 range states are
signatories to CITES and are expected to
uphold their responsibility in compliance to
the Convention through their national
legislation. Despite this, trade in
tigers and tiger parts continues.
To make matters worse, there has been talk
of legalizing the use of tigers from tiger
farms in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine)
with the idea that this will reduce pressure
on wild populations. If this is allowed, it
is a fear that wild caught individuals will
be laundered into trade. Wild animals are
preferred over captive bred ones, as they
are thought to create more potent medicines.
Some captive breeding "conservation"
operations have also been involved in the
trade of tiger parts. These facilities are
generally tourist traps. Tigers are drugged and beaten
to allow tourists to take photos with them. In
an investigation by the Environmental
Investigation Agency (EIA), Sri Racha Tiger
Zoo in Thailand was found selling tiger bone
pills on premises. The Tiger Temple in
Thailand has also been investigated for their
role of supplying the black market trade
with tiger parts.
Since January 2010 there have been 15
seizures of tigers and tiger parts,
comprising a minimum of 27 tigers. The trade
of tiger parts and derivatives is
detrimental to the survival of this
magnificent big cat. With only 3,200
individuals remaining, it is paramount that
we act now to save them.
Take Action
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Know your tiger facts and share them
with others
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Taking your photo with wild animals is
not a such a good idea. It is not
helping conservation and is very
stressful for them
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Ensure that any TCM (traditional Chinese
medicine) products or supplies that you
use do not contain tiger parts
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Be a conscious consumer. Unsustainable
sources of palm oil are contributing to
forest loss and loss of habitat for
tigers and other wildlife.
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