This year we are encouraging the whole Storia world
to be informed on illegal hunting of this majestic creature.
Just knowing is a great step toward conservation.
Tiger skin for sale in Tachilek market Myanmar Photo Credit: Chris Shepherd/TRAFFIC Southeast Asia
By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
There are only an estimated 3200 Tigers left in the wild in 13 range states including: China, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Originally there were nine sub-species of tiger in which today only six remains: Bengal Tiger, Indochinese Tiger, Malayan Tiger, Sumatran Tiger, Siberian Tiger, and South China Tiger. Today there are more captive Tigers in the USA than 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 on the Convention on the Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This prohibits all trade for commercial purposes. All 13 range states are signatories to CITES and expected to uphold their responsibility in compliance to the Convention through their National Legislation. Despite this, the trade in Tigers continues.
To make matters worse, many have proposed the legalization of the use of Tigers from Tiger farms in TCM, 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 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 in their role of supplying the black market trade of Tiger parts.
The trade of Tiger parts and derivatives is detrimental to the survival of this magnificent big cat. With only 3200 individuals remaining, it is paramount that we act now to save them.
There are only an estimated 3200 Tigers left in the wild in 13 range states including: China, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Originally there were nine sub-species of tiger in which today only six remains: Bengal Tiger, Indochinese Tiger, Malayan Tiger, Sumatran Tiger, Siberian Tiger, and South China Tiger. Today there are more captive Tigers in the USA than 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 on the Convention on the Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This prohibits all trade for commercial purposes. All 13 range states are signatories to CITES and expected to uphold their responsibility in compliance to the Convention through their National Legislation. Despite this, the trade in Tigers continues.
To make matters worse, many have proposed the legalization of the use of Tigers from Tiger farms in TCM, 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 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 in their role of supplying the black market trade of Tiger parts.
The trade of Tiger parts and derivatives is detrimental to the survival of this magnificent big cat. With only 3200 individuals remaining, it is paramount that we act now to save them.
Take Action!
1) Know your Tiger facts and share them with others.
2) Taking your photo with wild animals is not such a good idea. It is not helping conservation, and is very stressful for them.
3) Ensure that any TCM products or suppliers you may use do not contain Tiger parts.
4) Be a conscious consumer. Un-sustainable sources of palm oil are contributing to forest-loss and loss of habitat for Tigers and other wildlife.
2) Taking your photo with wild animals is not such a good idea. It is not helping conservation, and is very stressful for them.
3) Ensure that any TCM products or suppliers you may use do not contain Tiger parts.
4) Be a conscious consumer. Un-sustainable sources of palm oil are contributing to forest-loss and loss of habitat for Tigers and other wildlife.
The New England Primate Sanctuary
Kaitlyn Foley's piece on Tiger preservation was originally published on the New England Primate Sanctuary's website: www.neprimatesanctuary.org. More stories from correspondents working with animals on the field can be found on their site in Letters From the Field.
Smuggled Tigers from Malaysia seized in Prachuap Khiri’s Hua Hin district. Photo Credit: Bangkok Post, 6 January 2009
About the Writer
Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley is a Primatologist and Conservation Biologist. She obtained a MSc in Primate Conservation from Oxford-Brookes University in the UK and a BA in Anthropology from the University of Rhode Island. Her main interests are wildlife trade, primate welfare and behavior, and environmental conservation. Kaitlyn has extensive experience working with non-human primates: in the UK with capuchin monkeys, in Thailand with gibbons, and in Malaysia with macaques, siamang and slow loris. In addition, Kaitlyn is a certified wildlife rehabilitator and has over 8 year of experience working with raptors and small mammals. Currently Kaitlyn is a researcher with the Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group. Over the past 6 years Kaitlyn has been living abroad in Italy, UK, and Malaysia. She has two beautiful dogs, Stella and McGreggor.
Let the Giving Continue...
As the seasons keep changing we will be switching up our featured good cause again and of course we want to know what our Storia people think, so let us know! As always, if there's something close to your heart, type it out and it'll go into the "consideration box."
