U.S. urged to regulate 'backyard tigers'

(CNN) -- Rising numbers of captive tigers in the United States are putting
citizens at risk and could be fueling illegal trade in animal parts, which
threatens their survival in the wild, conservationists have warned.

"Tigers Among US," published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and TRAFFIC,
the wildlife trade monitoring network estimates that there are more than
5,000 tigers in captivity in the U.S. compared with around 3,200 that
remain wild across Asia.

While some tigers are housed in zoos, many more are privately owned, often
free to roam backyards, urban apartments and are generally kept in
"deplorable conditions," the report says.

Leigh Henry, WWF senior policy officer for Species Conservation told CNN:
"We've seen photos and there's a video on our website showing tigers
walking around muddy wet cages."

But its the size of the enclosures that is most distressing, Henry says,
"when you know tigers are supposed to be ranging over hundreds and
hundreds of acres."

Current U.S. regulation on tiger ownership is "a patchwork of federal
laws" full of "exceptions, exemptions and loopholes," the report says.

A majority of U.S. states (28) don't allow citizens to keep tigers as
pets, while 17 have laws which regulate their ownership.

But in some states there are no regulations at all, making it easier to
own a tiger than to adopt a dog, with sometimes tragic consequences.

In 2003, a 10-year-old boy was killed by his aunt's pet tiger in Wilkes
County, North Carolina.

In the same year, celebrity tiger handler Roy Horn (of Siegfried and Roy
fame) was mauled during a performance at Las Vegas's Mirage Hotel.

Nevada and North Carolina are two of eight U.S. states (Alabama, Idaho,
Ohio, South Carolina West Virginia and Wisconsin are the others) which
currently have no laws regulating private ownership of tigers.

More:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/10/21/tigers.captive.regulation.us/index.html?hpt=C2

UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN TIGER PARTS IN SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE, 19
March 2010– A 3-month undercover investigation by ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and
Education Society) has revealed that 59 out
of 134 jewellery and antique shops visited in Singaporeoffered
alleged tiger parts for sale. Evidence of the 59 shops
selling alleged tiger parts was recorded on video.

Approximately159 alleged tiger
claws, 303 alleged tiger teeth and 38 pieces of alleged tiger skin were found on
sale during the investigation, which was conducted from December 2009 until February 2010. Tiger parts are used for various purposes such as traditional
medicine, jewellery, lucky charms and novelties.

Singaporehas previously been recognised as playing
a role in the trade of tiger products from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, for both domestic trade and
international re-exports.1

Although all
commercial tiger trade has been banned since 1987 by CITES (Convention on the
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), whichSingaporeis a party to, there has been an
approximate 50% decrease in wild tiger populations since the
ban.

Less than a century ago, more
than 100,000 tigers roamed the world’s jungles and forests. Today, less than
3,200 remain in the wild.Three subspecies of tiger
have become extinct within the last 50years and,despite the inclusion of
Asian big cat species in Appendix I of CITES, the illegal trade in
specimens of nearly all these species has escalated and further threatens their
long-term survival in the wild.

Singaporejoined CITES in 1986 and ratified the
Convention in 1987. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority is the CITES
authority in Singapore. AVAadministers the Endangered Species
(Import and Export) Act (ESA), which lists all CITES species in its
Schedules. Under the ESA, it is an offence to import, export and re-export any CITES species
without a permit from AVA. The possession, sale, offering or exposing or advertising for sale
or displaying to the public of any illegally imported CITES specimen is also an
offence. The penalties, on conviction, are a fine of $50,000 (per species), not
exceeding an aggregate of $500,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment.

Under the Endangered
Species (Import and Export) (Prohibition of Sale) Notification, the domestic sale of tiger
specimens is prohibited. Any person who sells, offers or exposes for sale or
displays to the public any tiger parts and products, commits an offence. The
offender shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 for each species (but
not to exceed in the aggregate $100,000) or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 1 year or to both.

“It is important to note that
anyone who advertises for sale any tiger parts contravenes the above Act, even if the products turn out to be not
authentic. By making a claim that
the product is from tigers, the dealer is potentially driving up the demand for
tiger parts,which directly contravenes the spirit of CITES and
the local legislation meant to enforce
CITES” said
Ms. Anbarasi Boopal, Director of ACRES Wildlife Crime Unit.

Key findings of the investigation
include:

* The demand for tiger parts and the amount of tiger parts being stocked by the shops appeared to be higher over the Chinese New Year period in this year of the tiger, as reported by a shopkeeper.
* At 52 shops, the alleged tiger parts were openly on sale.
* 28 shopkeepers mentioned that an order for more tiger parts could be placed with them, and the delivery time ranged from one week to three months or more.
* 7 shopkeepers recognised that tigers are protected animals, that it is illegal to sell tiger parts, and that tiger parts are customs-controlled items.
* The alleged tiger parts were claimed to originate from Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Lao and Cambodia.
“The
investigation findings showed the presence of an illegal trade in alleged tiger
parts in Singaporeand that
there is an immediate need for continued serious efforts to curb this illegal
trade. The investigation
findings and footage have been submitted to the AVAand we look
forward to working closely with the AVA”
said Mr. Louis Ng, Executive Director of ACRES.

“As long as there is demand, there will be
supply. Legislation alone is insufficient to bring a complete halt to the
illegal trading of endangered species and their parts. We must do more public
education and awareness so demands for them can be curbed and supply will then
terminate”
said Dr. Lim Wee
Kiak,Member
of Parliament for SembawangGRC.

Contact:
Louis
Ng (ACRES Executive Director)
Email: louis@acres.org.sg

· Photographs
and video footage of the investigation are available on
request.
· In 2003, ACRES, in collaboration with The New
Paper, conducted undercover investigations into the illegal trade in tiger parts
in Singapore. The
investigations revealed that alleged tiger parts, including tiger bones, tiger
paws and tiger penises, were on sale at Traditional Chinese Medicine stores in Chinatown.
· Between 2008
and 2009, ACRES received 3 tip-offs regarding the sale of alleged tiger parts in Singapore. ACRES
investigations confirmed alleged tiger parts being sold as lucky charms in all
three cases. Enforcement action by the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority
followed.
· ACRES
is a local animal protection charity and Institution of Public Character aimed
at fostering respect and compassion for all animals. It currently has more than
18,000 individuals on its supporter database.

1. Chris R.
Shepherd and Nolan Magnus, 2004. Nowhere to hide: The trade in Sumatran tiger. A
TRAFFIC South-east
Asiareport.

According to Times of india 66 tigers dead in 8 months

Tiger deaths continue at an alarming rate. Statistics collated from different parts of India by a prominent wildlife
NGO show thatbetween January 1 and August 19 this year, at least 66 tigers lost their lives.

23 died due to poaching. The list includes seizures of skins, bones, claws, skeletons, canines and paws by police and wildlife authorities during this period. The remaining 43 died of a variety of reasons such as infighting, old age, tiger-human conflict, accidents and disease, according to statistics provided by Wildlife Protection Society of India.
Read More
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/environment/flora-fauna/66-tigers-dead-in-8months/articleshow/4917094.cms

SAVE THE CANCUN TIGERS!ACTION ALERT

Last Chance for Animals (LCA) urges everyone to help rescue and relocate 7 Tigers that have been living in deplorable, substandard conditions, in Cancun, Mexico for FIVE years. They are kept in 12 foot cages, sitting in their own feces, with little or no interaction. They are not fed or given water regularly (they often drink water covered in algae, bugs, and rotten food). The level of neglect is appalling! "Pepe," the owner, refuses to allow a veterinarian to examine his tigers; consequently they are in dire need of medical attention!


LCA interviews Tippi Hedren at Shambala Preserve in Acton, CA.
See footage of the Cancun Tigers shot by LCA's undercover operative.

Bengal Tiger with dislocated leg, sitting in feces and rotten food

"Pepe" used to own and run a restaurant/hotel in Cancun. Tourists would dine among the caged tigers, and for a fee, get a picture taken with them. When Hurricane Wilma wiped out Cancun in 2004, the restaurant was never re-opened. Consequently, the building they are caged in is in dangerous disrepair. They are malnourished, abused, and in dire need of medical attention!

"Pepe" dragging a tiger after his restaurant was flooded in 2004.

And it's getting worse! Read this testimonial from a passing tourist who saw the tigers recently and wrote this letter of outrage:

I have seen these animals in March 2009 and one of the tigers kept trying to stand up but it's back legs would give way. While we were looking Pepe came out shouting at us to go away which we did not do. When I asked him to come to the side of the iron bars I was on, he refused because I told him I would put him in the same dying condition of these poor endangered big cats..

The Mexican Government wildlife agency, PROFEPA, recently reviewed and revoked the UMA license held by Gil Jose Juarez ("Pepe") after pressure from GEPDA (Gente por la Defensa Animal), an animal rights group in Mexico that has been trying to relocate these tigers to The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) in Keenesburg, CO.

This is where the Cancun tigers should be!

Affectionate tigers relaxing on TWAS' 320 acres of grassland

The rescue mission was in place 10 days ago--the Mexican government has now reneged on their agreement to release and relocate these tigers to TWAS. They are now talking about sending these already abused animals to a zoo in Mexico City! PLEASE--help us put the pressure on them to honor the original plan: to release and relocate these tigers to TWAS, where they will get the medical attention they desperately need, as well as a beautiful home where they will be safe and taken care of. TWAS is located on 320 acres of Colorado grasslands, and would be the perfect home for these neglected exotic wild cats.

A CALL TO ACTION!

Help LCA, GEPDA, and TWAS save these exotic cats by putting the pressure on the Mexican Government, as well as the Mexican Embassies and Consulates all across the U.S., by flooding their offices with emails, telephone calls, and letters demanding (politely!) that they release these beautiful animals to The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS), in Keenesburg, CO.

The Cancun Tigers could be frolicking here at TWAS!

Happy tigers relaxing on the wide open grasslands at TWAS

Please contact the Mexican authorities, and give a voice to the voiceless. The terrible existence of these beautiful, exotic animals is reprehensible! The Cancun authorities don't want negative publicity to affect their holiday trade--this desire to avoid negative public perception can be used to pressure them to do the right thing and relocate these tigers immediately to The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS)!

For complete information on who to contact and helpful talking points, please visit:

www.savethecancuntigers.com

Help LCA, GEPDA, and TWAS rescue these exotic cats!



For the animals,

Campaigns Dept
Last Chance for Animals
310-271-6096 x 27
campaigns@LCAnimal.org

Battery farm for tigers: The 1, 400 big cats whose body parts are prized on the black market

In the wild, they prowl across hundreds of miles of jungle.
In contrast, these tigers share the wretched experience of battery hens.
Here in South-East China, hundreds of the endangered animals are crampedin tiny pens - and are slowly starved to death, say critics.
The reason, it is said, is that they are worth more dead than alive.
The Xiongsen Bear and Tiger Park is home to 1,400 tigers - more than livewild in India.
Full story:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-494841/Battery-farm-tigers-The-1-400-big-cats-body-parts-prized-black-market.html

SAVE ENDANGERED SPECIES IN MALAYSIA FROM UNNECESSARY LOGGING!-PETITION TO SIGN!

Target: Dato' Sri Mohd Najib, Prime Minister of Malaysia
Sponsored by: Care2
In the region of Terengganu, Malaysia, a stretch of forest filled with endangered wildlife is disappearing. In preparation for a new hydroelectric project, the Terengganu state government is logging and then flooding the forest. But here's the twist: They are logging three times more land than is needed.As this valuable forest disappears, so will many species that inhabit the area, such as the endangered Sumatran rhinoceros and the Malayan tiger. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has deemed 94 plant and animal species in the region threatened by extinction. In the face of reckless logging, these species have little hope of survival.Urge the Malaysian prime minister to protect the wildlife and stop the unnecessary logging of the high-value forest in the Terengganu region.

THAI SMUGGLERS BUSTED WITH GRIZLY HALVES OF TIGER CARCASSES!

Written by Derek Markham

The Thai Navy arrested eight animal traffickers in possession of two tiger carcasses, both chopped in half, and 45 pangolins as they attempted to smuggle the animals across the Mekong River into Lao PDF.

“The trail of butchered Tigers winds through many countries in Southeast Asia.” - Chris R. Shepherd, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s Acting Director
Officers in the Thai Navy followed two cars with the grisly cargo and arrested eight people as they attempted to transfer the animals from cars into a boat for the river crossing. Two of the pangolins were already dead.
The Thai Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division sent the tiger carcasses to the Dept. of National Parks for DNA testing to determine if they were domesticated or wild animals.
“TRAFFIC lauds the Thai authorities for carrying out these DNA tests. Determining the origin of these Tigers is crucial if authorities hope to end this tragic trade.”- Shepherd
Previous attempts to smuggle tigers across the border have been recorded, with the Thai Navy preventing smugglers from bringing six slaughtered tigers, five leopards and 275 live pangolins across the Thai-Laos border in January 2008. The tigers in that incident were also sliced in half, and the leopards were missing their organs.
In January 2009, police in Thailand seized the carcasses of four tigers in Hua Hin, all decapitated. Police believed those tigers came from Malaysia and were en route to China. In February, two tiger carcasses and a panther carcass were seized in the province of Pattani.
TRAFFIC encouraged governments in Southeastern Asian countries to work together to stem the flow of illegal animal trafficking across borders.
“Tracking down those who illegally kill and trade these Tigers and putting them behind bars is a task countries cannot accomplish on their own.” - Shepherd
Images: Mekong Waterfront Guard & Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression

Save the Neglected Exotic Wild Cats in Cancun-Petition To Sign!

Save the Neglected Exotic Wild Cats in Cancun-Mexico
Target:Profepa - Mexican Government Wildlife
Sponsored by: Cancun Big Cats



13 Tigers and Lions and 2 Jaguars are living in deplorable conditions in Cancun, Mexico at two locations under the guardianship of one owner. The level of neglect is appalling! For at least FIVE years these animals have lived in substandard conditions. For an accurate description of the state of these living conditions, please read this web page published in 2004 and keep in mind that nothing has changed in the quality of life for these exotic cats:

http://www.sick56.org/tigers.htm

DISAPPEARING TIGERS FROM PANNA!TAKE ACTION!

Disappearing Tigers from Panna.
I hope you will not mind me contacting you but as a visitor to my website I thought that you should be aware of the current problems facing the wild tiger in India. You are probably aware that three years ago all the tigers disappeared from Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. This should have been a 'wake up' call for all the project tiger reserves in India but unfortunately another reserve-Panna in Madhya Pradesh has gone the same way. Now the State Government in MP. are starting to move tigresses from other reserves within the state to Panna before an official independent enquiry has been set up by the Government of India to establish the cause of the disappearing tigers, which almost certainly will be down to poaching. I feel strongly that before tigers are relocated from their existing reserve that proper infrastructure and protection should be in place before relocation is considered. I have been asked by a prominent NGO in India to politely write to the Prime Minister of India urgently requesting a high-level enquiry into the disappearance of ALL the tigers at Panna and also to request that only 'dispersing' young tigers should be considered for relocation and not tigresses that have already established a home range within their existing reserve. I have attached an extract from the email that I received with all relevant details and it would be greatly appreciated if like myself you would kindly write to Dr Manmohan Singh expressing your concern over the tragic loss of up to 40 tigers from Panna together with the two points mentioned above. More information can be found on my website in the section 'Save the Tiger'. Very best wishes Michael www.tigersinthefore st.com Please forward this message to as many people as possible, and request them to send an email to the Prime Minister of India.
We should ask for (i) a high-level enquiry into the disappearance of ALL the tigers in Panna Tiger Reserve, and (ii) that only 'dispersing' young tigers should be relocated, rather than established tigers from the core of protected areas. Here are the contact details:
Dr Manmohan SinghPrime Minister of IndiaEmail: ,
You can also go to the website www.pmindia. nic.in and click "Feedback" at the bottom.