International Tiger Day 2016,the big cat and why we need the roar back:WWF asks to close all tiger breeding farms in Asia and check black market animal trade
Switzerland July 29:Tigers are among the most recognisable and popular of the world’s charismatic megafauna. They have featured prominently in ancient mythology and folklore, and continue to be depicted in modern films and literature.The magnificent beast population in breeding farms is about 8,000, more than the estimated 3,900 living in the wild, WWF said in a statement ahead of the July 29 International Day of the Tiger.
The conservation group said there remained 200 tiger farms in Asia, mostly in China, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand and has asked that these farms be closed down to check the illegal animal trade of tiger parts.
The so-called “Temple of Tigers” in western Thailand was closed in May after Thai wildlife officials discovered dozens of dead cubs inside a freezer.
The world has lost 97% of all wild tigers in a bit over 100 years.
Major reasons for population decline include habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation and poaching.
A number of tiger species are already extinct. If we want this beast and its roar to echo for generations then something has to be done for the big cat to survive.
Tigers living in farm-like captivity have become habituated to human presence and cannot simply be released in the wild, the group said.
