With fewer than 4,000 left in the wild, tigers are on a precipice -- yet more than 100 of the big cats are still killed and illegally trafficked each year, according to fresh analysis published Wednesday.
The latest estimate comes as experts and dignitaries, including Britain's Prince William, gather in Vietnam's capital for an international wildlife conference which kicks off on Thursday.
The two-day meet joins governments, NGOs and activists to combat illegal wildlife trade and is being hosted in a country that has become a nexus for smuggling and consumption.
Traffic, which campaigns to protect endangered animals and help governments catch those who trade in their parts, published a new analysis looking at 16-years of tiger seizure data from across the globe.
They estimate an average of 110 tigers became victims of the trade each year since 2000.
The study also illustrates the growing role breeding centres play in fuelling the trade, especially in Southeast Asia.
Researchers singled out Thailand, Laos and Vietnam as among the world's top countries for tiger farms.
"These countries have clearly made little meaningful progress in controlling this source of supply," Kanitha Krishnasamy, a co-author of Traffic's report said in a statement.
"Any further stimulation of demand could have a more disastrous impact on wild tigers."
Around 30 percent of tiger parts seized between 2012 and 2015 now come from captive tigers compared to just two percent between 2000 and 2003.
Animal rights groups argue that by keeping demand for tiger parts going, farms simultaneously perpetuate the destruction of tigers in the wild.
Laos recently announced plans to close its tiger farms while Thailand has initiated investigations after a long tussle with a controversial Buddhist "tiger temple" that for years had been at the centre of allegations of complicity in the trade.
But both countries have a long history of corruption and policing crackdowns that rarely result in permanent successes on the ground.
Animal rights groups hope the Hanoi conference will pile pressure on governments to redouble efforts to stem the trade and close down farms.
"Ending tiger farming would ease the pressure and help law enforcement agencies focus on the poachers and traffickers of wild tigers," Michael Baltzer, from the World Wildlife Fund said.
Prince William, who has become a champion of endangered species in recent years, met with Vietnam's prime minister and vice president on Wednesday.
AFP
Wed Nov 16 2016
With fewer than 4,000 left in the wild, tigers are on a precipice -- yet more than 100 of the big cats are still killed and illegally trafficked each year. -Facebook Stacey Feige Konwiser
Dasar Peralihan Tenaga Sarawak libatkan kerjasama dengan negara lain - Abang Johari
Abang Johari berkata SET-P, satu lagi pelan hala tuju ke arah tenaga hijau bagi memastikan masa depan yang mampan, bersih dan makmur, akan melibatkan kerjasama dengan negara lain.
Tiga anggota Balai Polis Pulau Tikus ditahan
Polis Pulau Pinang hari ini mengesahkan penahanan tiga anggotanya yang bertugas di Balai Polis Pulau Tikus bagi membantu siasatan berhubung dakwaan salah laku, Jumaat Lepas.
Walau tanpa pemain utama, Harimau Malaya mampu raih kemenangan besar - Pan Gon
Walau turun tanpa beberapa pemain, Malaysia masih mampu melakar kemenangan besar ke atas Taiwan dalam perlawanan terakhir Kumpulan D pusingan kedua Kelayakan Piala Dunia 2026/Piala Asia 2027.
Tumpuan Selasa – 11 Jun 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
10 Berita Pilihan - (10 Jun 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
AWANI Ringkas: 'Yat Tex Garage' sewa satu panggung wayang
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
AWANI Tonight: 10th June 2024
#AWANITonight with Farhana Sheikh
- Targeted diesel subsidies needed to save Malaysia - PM
- France: Macron calls snap vote after far-right triumphs in EU polls
#AWANIenglish #AWANInews
- Targeted diesel subsidies needed to save Malaysia - PM
- France: Macron calls snap vote after far-right triumphs in EU polls
#AWANIenglish #AWANInews
AWANI 7:45 [10/06/2024] – Ketirisan hasil cukai kerajaan | Rasuah turun temurun | Kadar pengangguran 3.3 peratus | Subsidi bersasar selamatkan negara
Laporan berita padat dan ringkas #AWANI745 bersama Essan Yahya
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Pelabuhan seluruh Malaysia, SPRM ada ‘target’ tangani penipuan kontena.
- Rasuah di peringkat bawahan, ketua jabatan tidak dinaikkan pangkat.
- Jumlah pengangguran turun kepada 566 ribu orang.
- Rakyat terima subsidi diesel bersasar, tapi bimbang kenaikan harga barang.
Saksikan #AWANI745 di saluran 501 Astro AWANI, Astro AWANI apps dan astroawani.com/live-tv
#AWANInews
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Pelabuhan seluruh Malaysia, SPRM ada ‘target’ tangani penipuan kontena.
- Rasuah di peringkat bawahan, ketua jabatan tidak dinaikkan pangkat.
- Jumlah pengangguran turun kepada 566 ribu orang.
- Rakyat terima subsidi diesel bersasar, tapi bimbang kenaikan harga barang.
Saksikan #AWANI745 di saluran 501 Astro AWANI, Astro AWANI apps dan astroawani.com/live-tv
#AWANInews
Pasaran getah terus ditutup tinggi disokong kenaikan harga minyak mentah
Pasaran getah Kuala Lumpur sekali lagi ditutup pada paras tertingginya bagi tahun ini mendapat rangsangan daripada kenaikan harga minyak mentah dan penurunan ringgit berbanding dolar AS.
Najib pegang kuasa penting dalam SRC, saya tidak boleh bantah arahan beliau - Saksi
Seorang bekas pengarah SRC International Sdn Bhd memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini bahawa beliau tidak boleh membantah arahan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.