Canada and the World
Current Events with a Canadian Perspective
Last update
13 June 2011
Tiger Population Declining
The World Wildlife Fund says that tigers could
become extinct in a generation and points out
that three sub-
Officials attending the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in Doha, Qatar (March 2010) have been told that the number of tigers left in the wild has dropped to about 3,200 animals; in the early 1900s there were more than 100,000 tigers in the world.
A large part of the population decline has been due to habitat destruction as forests have been cleared in Asia. However, another threat comes from poachers who are killing the animals to satisfy a demand for body parts used in traditional medicine.
In a press release (March 15, 2010) CITES “is calling for countries to submit information
about crime against tigers, so that it can be analyzed and effective anti-
Trade in Tiger Parts Reduces Population
According to Tigers in Crisis, “The single greatest threat of extinction that looms over most Asian wildlife especially the endangered tiger, and pushes them to become endangered species, are massive demands for traditional medicine.”
Throughout Asia, but particularly in China, tiger bones are believed to strengthen muscles and bones and relieve pain and epilepsy. But, other body parts from tigers are specially sought after by increasingly affluent Asians.
Tigers in Crisis says that in Taiwan tiger penis soup is believed to increase virility and sells for $320 a bowl. Others seem willing to pay $170 for a pair of tiger eyes because they are thought to cure malaria and epilepsy.
Failure to Protect Tigers Acknowledged
Reporting on the CITES conference (March 15, 2010), Richard Black of the BBC quotes
the organization’s secretary-
The conference also heard that organized crime gangs are getting control of the illegal trade in animal parts that is threatening many species; some of the most prominent victims are rhinos (the horns are believed by some to be an aphrodisiac) and elephants (tusks taken for ivory).
Jeremiah Blatz
Interpol Fighting Animal Part Trade
In February 2010, the international police organization, Interpol, coordinated an investigation into the illegal trade in wildlife medical products. Operation Tram involved police, conservation officers, and others from 18 countries.
Interpol says the month-
The organization seized goods valued at more than $10 million. However, the global trade in illegal wildlife products is said to be worth $6 billion a year.
Traditional Medicine Practitioners Urged to Conserve
The Chinese government banned the use of tiger bones in traditional medicine in 1993, and the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies has encouraged its practitioners to honour the ban.
On March 12, 2010, the society’s Secretary-
Sources
“Interpol Coordinated Operation Targets Illegal Trade in Wildlife Medical Products.” Interpol Press Release, March 5, 2010.
“Trade in Tiger Parts.” Tigers in Crisis.
“CITES to Discuss Initiatives to Dismantle Criminal Networks Involved in Tiger and Rhino Poaching.” CITES Press Release, March 15, 2010.
“Tiger Decline is ‘Sign of World’s Failure.’ ” Richard Black, BBC News, March 15, 2010.
“Countries Sign Declaration to Save Tigers from Poaching, Loss of Habitat.” Irina Titova, Associated Press, November 23, 2011.
© Canada and the World, June 2011
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According to the Chinese calendar 2010 was the Year of the Tiger.
The next Year of the Tiger is 2022.
SAVING THE TIGERS
At a high level Tiger Summit in November 2010, officials signed a declaration aimed a saving the big cats from extinction.
Irina Titova of Associated Press writes from St. Petersburg, Russia (November 23, 2010) that “The new accord stipulates that the nations will strive to double the tiger population by 2022, crack down on poaching, and illicit trade in tiger pelts and body parts.”
The declaration received the support of governments in the 13 countries where tigers still live in the wild.
Some serious money is going into the program, with a loan of $100 million offered
by the World Bank, and the World Wildlife Fund “also committed to spend $50 million
over the next five years on tiger conservation, and set a goal of increasing that
to $85 million.”
“If [tigers] survive, it shows we are doing our job right. If they disappear, it shows we are just talking.”
Keshav S. Varma,
World Bank Global Tiger Initiative