• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Monday, January 25, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

Illegal trade pushes Sumatran tiger close to extinction

BCR by BCR
August 28, 2009
in News World
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Illegal trade pushes Sumatran tiger close to extinction

Updated Wed Aug 26, 2009 8:08pm AEST

You might also like

Cub Petting Shame

Rules

GoFree

Conservationists say the illegal trade of animals is thriving in Southeast Asia and the gruesome killing of a Sumatran tiger at an Indonesian zoo over the weekend is just the latest example. A report released by the wildlife trade watchdog Traffic suggests the global demand for the fur and bones of unique animals remains high across Asia despite the threat or prosecution. There are fewer than 500 Sumatran tigers alive in the wild and the World Wildlife Fund says the animal faces extinction within years if the illegal trade is not stopped.

Presenter: Matt Conway
Speakers: Elizabeth John, international wildlife trade monitoring network, Traffic; Chris Shepherd, leading expert on the sustainable exploitation of animals

CONWAY: The proud roar of the Sumatran tiger belies a grim predicament.

The WWF estimates that less than 400 of the creatures remain in the wild and that a thriving trade of its parts could see that number decline.

Staff at the Taman Rimba zoo arrived to find only the intestines of a female tiger remaining.

Authorities believe thieves broke into the zoo, and killed the animal to remove its bones, claws fur and whiskers which can earn big money on the international market.

It remains unclear how the thieves broke into the zoo or how many were involved.

And its not the only recent example of the animal trade causing a direct impact on the population of the Sumatran tiger.

Elizabeth John from Traffic, an international wildlife trade monitoring network, says a recent raid on an Indonesian home found the remains of several Sumatran tigers, indicating that the demand for the animal is still there.

JOHN: They recovered 33 pieces of tiger material ranging in size from a few centimetres to larger pieces and when you consider this in the context of the population of Sumatran tigers now which is placed at 400-500 tigers, its quite a large number to take out of the wild. So they are very threatened by the illegal trade.

CONWAY: Rapid deforestation and clashes with humans have had a serious impact on the number of Sumatran tigers in the wild but its the trade of its paws which poses the biggest threat.

Elizabeth John explains.

JOHN: Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade is the biggest problem for tigers everywhere and it is also the biggest problem faced by wildlife around the world particularly in Southeast Asia. Products that come from the Sumatran tiger are traded across borders throughout Southeast Asia and also sold to markets in china not just for their skin, teeth or claws but also for their meat.

CONWAY: Despite tough laws against it in some countries – weak laws in others mean the trade remains a huge challenge for authorities.

Not only does the desire for money fuel the market but tradition and the practice of ancient beliefs are also adding incentive.

JOHN: In Sumatra particularly tiger parts are very often used for magic. For instance the claws are used to make pendants and necklaces which are used as charms which give protective powers to those who wear them and whiskers are believed to possess magical powers which are believed to protect the wearer from malicious curses so there are very often ancient beliefs attached to this which often drives the trade.

SHEPHERD: Wildlife crime is just not seen as a high priority and this has to change.

CONWAY: Chris Shepherd, a leading expert on the sustainable exploitation of animals, says the number of tigers remaining in the wild is dwindling and with the impact of decades of deforestation to come, the creature faces an uncertain future.

He discussed the issue with a number of colleagues at a recent crisis meeting in Malaysia and says authorities while concerned by the decline remain hamstrung by the weak punishments handed down to offenders by local courts.

He says the time to enforce stricter punishments is now or we face a future without one of the world’s most dominant creatures

SHEPHERD: You always hear that if things don’t change now we are gonna lose this species or that species but with tigers it really is critical. If there isn’t action taken immediately, with trends the way they are now, we will lose tigers in the wild very, very quickly.

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/asiapac/stories/200908/s2667896.htm

http://bigcatrescue.org


Tags: News World
Previous Post

Bid to attract more tourists makes white tiger cubs ill

Next Post

Kaziranga losing its hold on tigers

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Cub Petting Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

January 17, 2021
450
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
27
Big Cat Rescue does bobcat rehab and release of native, Florida bobcats.
Articles by BCR

GoFree

March 29, 2020
110
Nik Tiger being Xrayed
How To Start A Sanctuary

What is a day like at Big Cat Rescue?

June 30, 2020
17
Cougars at Big Cat Rescue
Memorials

Artemis

January 28, 2020
55
Next Post

Kaziranga losing its hold on tigers

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Take Action Against Abuse

Shop To Save Big Cats

More From BigCatRescue

  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big Cat Information

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Versioin
No Result
View All Result
  • 2018 Appeal
  • About BCR
  • About our Cookies
  • BCR in the Media
  • Big Cat Rescue Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade
  • Big Cat Times
  • Blog
  • Board of Directors
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Credentials
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Embed Link
  • GET THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CUB PETTING
  • Global Big Cat News
  • Intern Program
  • Kids
  • Latest from Big Cat Rescue
  • Licensing
  • Map
  • Map of Big Cat Owners
  • Netflix
  • News about Big Cats
  • News Gallery
  • News@BCR
  • Our Video Series
  • PressRoom
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rescues
  • Search result
  • Series Archive – Default header
  • Shop
  • SnowLeopard
  • Social Stream
  • Staff
  • Teachers
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • Test Gravity
  • USFWS
  • Vets
  • Videos archive
  • Get Involved
    • Automatic
    • Sponsorships
    • Volunteer
      • AdvoCats
      • Click to Feed
      • Intern
    • Legacy
    • Roar! Speak Out for Big Cats
    • Ink
  • Finances
  • How We Started
  • Abuse Issues
    • Issues
      • Exhibitions
      • Private Ownership of Big Cats
      • Zoos
      • White Tigers
      • Circus
      • Fur
      • Trophy Hunting
      • Canned Hunting
      • Why Regulations Don’t Work
  • Our Evolution
  • Photos & Facts
  • Videos
  • Our Volunteers
  • Your Privacy
  • Donate
  • Site Map
  • Field Trips

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Add New Playlist