Nations in uproar as China rejects closure of tiger farms

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation reports that the recent meeting of officials at the 62nd Meeting of the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) resulted in an uproar when China rejected the call for the closure of tiger farms and asked for "evidence that tiger farms encourage poaching of wild tigers".

Although China banned the trade of all tiger parts in 1993, the illegal trade continues and large-scale commercial breeding of tigers is booming with over 5,000 tigers in 20 farms in China. Huh?

Tiger farms breed tigers to farm body parts.

The UK (representing the EU) and India pushed for countries to report on the phasing out of tiger farms and their stocks of tiger products. This was eagerly debated with the final decision agreeing that countries with intensive tiger breeding operations must report on the number of tigers and tiger farms. They must also declare the stockpiles of captive-bred or confiscated tiger parts and propose an action on how these will be secured or destroyed.

The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) Secretariat reported on all the positive actions taking place to save wild tigers, but closed with an alert to CITES Parties over the “mushrooming” of tiger farms, not just in China but across SouthEast Asia.

India followed up, expressing once more its concern over the lack of reporting on action to phase out tiger farms and over the growing stocks of tiger skins, bones and carcasses that are piling up in freezers on tiger farms. It pointed out that CITES adopted a Decision way back in 2007 (14.69) calling for an end to tiger farming but there has been inadequate reporting on progress.

It asked the CITES meeting to agree a deadline by which Parties must report on actions taken to end farming, and actions to be taken to “consolidate and destroy” stockpiles. India went on to make it clear that CITES must be prepared to address non-compliance in this regard. It was time to get tough.

China was quick off the mark to claim that illegal trade has been well controlled in it country in recent years, that it doesn’t allow trade in tiger bone for medicinal purposes (no mention of its legal skin trade!), that it hasn’t seen any evidence of trade from farmed tigers, and is not aware of tiger farms affecting wild tiger conservation.

Egypt called for demand reduction campaigns that would make the use of tiger parts unfashionable, the USA supported the idea of performance indicators tied to compliance measures and Israel urged CITES to take whatever steps were necessary to ensure Decision 14.69 to phase out tiger farms is implemented.

The wild indian tiger - as it should be!

After two days of debate and even an emotional Chinese outburst, the Notification to CITES Parties (member countries) to be circulated will request:

1. that all Parties with intensive operations breeding tigers on a commercial scale fully implement Decision 14.69 in respect of the number of breeding operations and also the total number of tigers, and
2. all Parties to declare stockpiles of captive-bred or confiscated tiger body parts and derivatives along with actions proposed to “deal with” (originally it said “consolidate and destroy”) the stockpiles (originally said “the same”).

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Over 122,000 supporters of the BAN TIGER TRADE campaign have now put their names to the petition, urging the Chinese government to END the trade in tiger parts.

We need to see is a ban on ALL trade of ALL tiger parts from ANY source with a ZERO tolerance policy.

If you haven't already, sign the petition at www.bantigertrade.com.

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation relies heavily on our donations which are used to fund undercover operations and to send Debbie Banks (Evironmental Investigation Agency) to the CITES convention to put pressure on the Chinese government. Please help us continue to keep these investigations and our tiger protection programmes running by donating here.

COMING SOON THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TIGER CONVENTION!
Tiger Tracks is being organised by Save Wild Tigers and will be hosted by St Pancras International rail station, in London, from March 1-21, 2013.

The event will benefit EIA and Born Free Foundation, with a mission to raise awareness of the critical plight of the wild tiger and to generate funds to support global yet targeted tiger conservation programmes throughout tiger range countries through promotions, music, entertainment and much more. See you in London!

Thank you to The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Debbie Banks of EIA for reports.

Middle East Country takes first step in deterring wildlife pets

Pet Cheetahs, and all big cats, are illegal

In September 2011 images were published of the Porsche driver in Dubai walking his pet cheetah on a leash in the middle of a busy urban center?

The article highlighted the legal inequalities in the United Arab Emirates where trafficking illegal drugs in the United Arab Emirates can earn offenders a death sentence, but trafficking wild animals that are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) apparently goes unnoticed if committed by a rich Emirati.

Although the United Arab Emirates has been an official member of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Wild Species in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora, since 2002, officials appear to look the other way when blatantly illegal wildlife trafficking spills into the UAE’s public realm.

“No wild animal should be kept on leash and be walked through public places. Wild cats are dangerous to the public … Wildlife is always best in its natural habitats, not in human company.” Dr Khan, member of IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas

Ajman, one of the smallest of the seven Emirates is looking to be tougher on these crimes. Had this Dubai resident been a resident of neighboring Ajman, he could have received a massive fine and the animal would have been confiscated. This is the first Gulf Country to pass legislation which makes it clear that keeping lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles as pets is not ok.

Law 54

In 2011 the Ajman Municipality passed Law 54, which states that the possession of all wild animals and reptiles in homes, apartments, and hostels is illegal.

This move followed a spate of incidents of non-domesticated animals “escaping” residents and endangering other people. Hmmmm…wonder how that happened? Apparently this new law “protects the community from any danger and damages” that occur when crocodiles and other wild animals break free from their “owners.”

The Penalty

Ajman’s Executive Director of Public Health and Envrionment Khalid AlHousani states that the law was passed following surveys carried out by the department and complaints received from citizens and residents of the Emirate.

He added that anyone caught with a wild animal or reptile in their home (including lizards) will receive “a penalty of 10,000 Dirham (or $2,720) and the animal will be transferred to a zoo or reserve park.”

AlHousani says “Ajman is the first to pass such a Law. We hope that others will do the same.”

It’s a Start

Whilst I could comment on the discrepancies in this statement and the law itself with respect to the animals themselves and their welfare and treatment, it is a step in the right direction for the region.

At least a law has been created and hopefully will serve as a deterrent to people looking for their next pet.

Though $2,720 isn’t much of a fine to a Dubai resident driving a Porsche (into which he stuffs his pet cheetah), perhaps in Ajman is has more of a financial impact…. Time will tell.

For now, salute Ajman for recognising that wildlife shouldn’t live in an apartment nor be transported in a Porsche.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

When you travel, you may witness these kinds of distressing events. Get details where you can and report it to the authorities.

Contact wildlife trade monitoring and action organisations such as TRAFFIC , WWF and International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN