Sumatran Tigers are being sold into Extinction

The Sumatran Tiger is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. If some conservation doesn't go into effect quickly these majestic creatures will be extinct along with three other sub species of tigers; the Javan Tiger, Caspian Tiger and Bali Tiger. Each of these of tigers became extinct due to habitat loss and poaching.

Laws to protect the Sumatran tiger are failing to prevent body parts of the critically endangered animal from being sold openly in Indonesia, according to a report released February 14th 2008. Tiger body parts, including canine teeth, claws, skin pieces, whiskers, and bones, were on sale in 10 percent of the 326 retail outlets surveyed during 2006 in 28 cities and towns across Sumatra. Outlets included goldsmiths, souvenir shops, traditional Chinese medicine shops, and shops selling antique and precious stones.

Because of poor enforcement the Sumatran tiger is slipping through our fingers," said Leigh Henry, program officer for TRAFFIC North America. There are only about 400 Sumatran tigers left and such a small population can't sustain this level of poaching. If enforcement and political will are not bolstered the Sumatran tiger will be wiped out just as the Javan and Bali tigers were.

Sumatra's few remaining tigers are also under threat from rampant deforestation by the pulp, paper, and palm oil industries. The combined threats of habitat loss and illegal trade (unless tackled immediately) will be the death for Indonesian tigers.

The Sumatran tiger is already listed as Critically Endangered on IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species, the highest category of threat before extinction in the wild," said Jane Smart, head of IUCN's Species Program. "We cannot afford to lose any more of these magnificent creatures.

All in all, tigers are a beautiful and rare species and we should do everything we can to stop them from becoming extinct. I think it would be a tragedy if these animals were wiped off the earth. The more people that are aware of these useless killings the more we can come together and help to take action to stop it.

Why the species is important?
The tiger is a powerful symbol of admiration among the variety of cultures that live across its range. They command respect, awe or fear from their human neighbors. Even in places where tigers have become extinct or never existed in the wild, they live in myth and legend.As top predators, they keep populations of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. A whole myriad of other life-forms are essential to support a healthy tiger population.

link to donate
https://secure.worldwildlife.org/ogc/index.cfm?sc=AWY0807WCG00

Thoughts, Comments, Questions...

Subscribe in a reader