The Illegal Tiger Trade
India spends millions of dollars on tiger protection, however poaching continues to be the cause of up to one hundred tiger deaths per year. The source of the demand for tigers comes almost entirely from China. The value of tiger bones and pelts on the black market is rising, creating even more pressure to supply tiger parts. Tiger bones are used to make traditional Chinese medicines including Tiger Bone wine
(shown to the right). The skins and teeth are used in the making of furniture or other ornamentation as well as for jewelry. Tiger parts are seen as a status symbol in Chinese culture.
The three major smuggling roots from India to China go through Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal. Organized gangs of poachers migrate through Indian towns with their families. Their wives and children often sell goods in the streets as a distraction from their true purpose. Sometimes they will pay locals for information on where police forces are weakest or where tigers have been sited. The poaching process includes setting up strong metal traps that will latch onto the tiger’s paw. These traps are strategically placed, for example around water holes on a dry day. Once a tiger is caught and found it is clubbed with sticks on the head and back and then stabbed in the throat using a spear. After capture it only takes about three hours for skinning before the poachers are off to a new location. Poaching is a 19 billion dollar a year business that is run by refined organizations. There is only a 4% conviction rate for those caught in the involvement of the tiger trade, which doesn’t help to deter smugglers.
Belinda Wright founded the Wildlife Protection Society of India in 1994 and has been working to expose those involved in the illegal tiger trade. In order to encourage locals to give tips about poachers they offer informants anonymity, rewards, and hand out flyers with their phone numbers. Since 2000 WPSI had already assisted with the arrests of almost 900 offenders. In addition, they have logged a growing database of cases and wildlife criminals. Wildlife crime is the fourth largest illegal operation in the world.
Presently, there are only an estimated 3,200 wild tigers left on the earth. Deforestation is occurring at an alarming rate, yet poaching is still the greatest threat to the restoration of tiger populations. There have been efforts made to end poaching, but tigers are still quickly approaching extinction. If you would like to help save the tigers consider “adopting a tiger” from the World Wildlife Fund for only $50 which includes a plush tiger, adoption certificate, photo and WWF tote.
Photos:
http://www.wallsave.com/wallpapers/1600×900/tigers/418354/tigers-bengal-tiger-animal-418354.jpg
http://www.jcm.co.uk/uploads/pics/10208-Thai-Navy.gif
http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/tiger-wine-1.jpg
Information used from:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/siberian-tiger/?source=A-to-Z