A huge seizure of tiger and bear parts in Russia’s Far East has highlighted once again the devastating impact of unchecked demand for tiger parts in China. Customs officers on the Russia-China border seized the skins and bones of five tigers, along with 870 brown bear paws (representing at least 218 bears)
Three dead tigers have been found in Khammouane province in Laos and, given that the tiger if functionally extinct in Laos, we believe these animals came from a tiger farm in the region. Laos has announced it is committed to shut down tiger farming operations but this incident reveals a concerning lack of progress.
Guangzhou Zoo announced that animal performances would cease after deciding not to renew its contract with Anhui Guangde Animal Circus, which had been renting space at the zoo and staging performances there for 24 years
The world’s remaining tigers are living under severe threat of extinction, having lost 93 per cent of their historical range and suffered a population crash of 95 per cent during the past century. The major threat to their continued existence is poaching to meet the high demand in Asia for their parts and derivatives
There are now 5,000-6,000 tigers kept in more than 200 facilities across China – many in horrific conditions and exhibiting symptoms of severe mental and physical distress as well as genetic deformities – in an industry which has sustained and stimulated demand for tiger parts and drives the poaching of wild tigers
A partnership with China Dialogue will deliver a series of in-depth reports, opinions and articles to combat decline of Asia’s tigers. Tiger populations in Asia have plummeted by an estimated 96 per cent since the start of the 20th century, from 100,000 animals to fewer than 4,000. Of those left, half are in India