Tiger crisis

The tiger – our most potent symbol of biodiversity – is in crisis. Only around 3000 remain in the wild and these last remaining populations are in serious danger from habitat loss and poaching.

But all is not lost. If we take immediate action this species can still recover. 2010 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger, a symbolic time to redouble our efforts to protect this species and everything it stands for.

Despite being found in fourteen countries, more than half of the remaining tigers are in India.

As a result, India has become a focus for criminal networks which kill tigers and illegally smuggle their parts to China where they are used for decoration, luxury clothing and traditional medicine.

To make matters worse, tiger farmers in China are calling on their government to lift its ban on the trade in tiger parts so they can sell their captive bred animals. This would have a devastating effect on the remaining wild animals by stimulating a market which they can be laundered into.

EIA is calling for urgent action to save the tiger and the forests it lives in. Intelligence-based enforcement, protection of habitat and prey, and education are all needed now. If we can’t save the tiger, what can we save?