Tiger Killed in Snare
The NGO Greenpeace has released disturbing video of a rare Sumatran tiger ensnared by an animal trap in the forests of Indonesia.
Despite the attempt by forest rangers to save it, the tiger, which had been trapped for a week, died during the rescue attempt.
The trap was set by local villagers trying to catch wild pigs, on lands where timber giant Asian Pulp and Paper operates.
Warning: the video is very disturbing.
The tiger is one of only about 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild; logging and poaching have caused their numbers to fall. AFP quotes a Greenpeace spokesman on the effect of logging in the tigers’ habitat: “We urge the company to stop its land clearing activity in Indonesia… to avoid endangered animals becoming extinct.” An Asian Pulp and Paper spokesperson said that humans and tigers have been in conflict in Indonesia for a long time, and any suggestion that the company’s actions led to the tiger’s death were “not only grossly inaccurate but deeply offensive.” Five conservation groups had warned against granting the logging company license to operate in the area back in 2009, due to the threat to endangered species, including the Sumatran tiger and orangutans.
The tragedy of one beautiful tiger will continue to be mirrored thousands of times every day with other creatures unless we can find some way to compromise between the needs of humans and the needs of nature.
Take Action
Learn about a previous campaign targeting Asian Pulp and Paper that focused on the packaging APP produces for Mattel, including Barbie products.
Trapping harms animals in the U.S., too, of course. A recent post about the New Mexico government lifting a ban on trapping fur bearing animals can be read here.
Habitat destruction by logging happens because of the huge demand for paper and other wood products around the world. Each of us can help by reducing our personal paper use, and spreading the word.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/rare-tigers-tragic-death-caught-on-video.html#ixzz1TJlvKuMN
