At a conference of tiger experts from 20 countries, including the 13 where wild tigers are still found, international experts stated the sad news: despite best efforts to save them, the world's tiger population is declining fast. New efforts are necessary if they are to be saved from extinction, the panel said.
Nepal's secretary of forest and soil conservation, Yuvaraj Bhusal, told the conference that "We are assembled here to save tigers that are at the verge of extinction." While there were more than 100,000 estimated at the beginning of the 20th century, only an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 are still alive. All the remaining tigers are in Asia.
Trade in tiger parts is booming, second only to drugs and weapons trade in Asia. It now accounts for about $10 billion annually. A WWF official spotlighted poaching as the major threat to tigers.
The natural habitat for tigers is being squeezed as well. Today they occupy only 7 percent of their historic range and have 40 percent less area than in 1997.
Eric Dinerstein, chief scientist and vice-president of WWF said, "We aim to stabilise tiger population in two years, and then double the number in 10 years. We need to intensify protection in 60 key reserves. The good news is tigers breed quickly and more than 1.1 million square kilometres of habitat remains."
The 13 countries where wild tigers are still found include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. The conference continues through Friday.
Written by Michael Santo
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
