Tiger Experts Welcome World Bank’s Commitment to Tiger Conservation

Tiger Experts Welcome World Bank’s Commitment to Tiger Conservation
Conservationists offer to help change Bank practices to protect tigers

Washington – The 39 member organizations of the International Tiger Coalition (ITC) applaud the World Bank’s announcement today that it will undertake a global joint venture to help reverse the decline wild tigers — the first-ever species initiative by the Bank.

The Bank has asked ITC and its members, representing some of the world's foremost tiger scientists, conservation groups, animal welfare advocates, traditional Chinese medicine specialists, and zoos, to provide expertise and strategic guidance to the initiative.

During the next six months, the Bank promises to hold open and frank dialogues with all stakeholders in tiger range countries about which tiger conservation methods have worked in the past and which have not. This process is crucial for reversing the damage done to tiger habitat from poorly planned development  projects in the past and addressing all major threats facing the fewer than 4,000 tigers remaining in the wild.

“This is a geopolitical problem that requires a geopolitical solution," said Judy Mills of the International Tiger Coalition.  “The World Bank’s involvement has the potential to catalyze a paradigm shift for wild tigers.”

The ITC is encouraged by the World Bank’s stated interest in ensuring that its future investments do no harm to wild tigers and hopes that other development agencies will follow suit.  The ITC hopes that the Bank’s efforts will call world attention to the need to stop all demand for tiger skins and bones.

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For the cats,

Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue
an Educational Sanctuary home
to more than 100 big cats
12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625
813.493.4564 fax 885.4457

http://www.BigCatRescue.org MakeADifference@BigCatRescue.org

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