Rare tiger facing extinction
2004-03-16 13:54
Jakarta, Indonesia - The Sumatran tiger is on the brink of extinction because of rapid deforestation and poaching that feeds a lucrative market for the big cat's body parts, a wildlife trade monitoring group said on Tuesday.
The Britain-based group Traffic, a joint programme between WWF and the World Conservation Union, said at least 50 Sumatran tigers had been poached each year from 1998-2002, leaving only between 400 to 500 tigers on Sumatra island.
"Tigers all over the world are under threat from poaching, loss of habitat and conflict with nearby human populations. Now, the Sumatran tiger is on the brink of extinction," said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF's International Species Programme.
"With so few left, there are doubts about whether the population is still viable," she said. "The current poaching is jeopardising the survival of entire populations, and indeed the very future of tigers on Sumatra."
According to the Traffic report, the killing of tigers has been driven in part by domestic demand for skins and other body parts, especially claws and teeth for trophies, charms and souvenirs.
Tiger parts are readily available in Sumatra, with many openly displayed for sale, the report found. Tiger products were also found in 17 of the 24 towns surveyed and 20% of 453 shops visited, according to the report.
The group also found a flourishing illegal trade in tiger parts to other parts of Asia.
"Increased and improved enforcement is critical to saving Sumatran tigers," said Steven Broad, executive director of Traffic. "As a first step, action should be taken against the markets, trade hubs and retail outlets highlighted in the report, especially in northern Sumatra."
Along with the decline in tiger population, the loss of their habitat has fuelled an increase in tiger attacks across Indonesia. Eight villagers have been killed in such incidents since August 2002, including a farmer mauled to death last week.
On the net:
www.traffic.org
www.panda.org
- AP