Save Tigers Now!!

Not only faced the threat of wild tigers living in the conservation area only. Sumatran tigers which living in Rimbo Park Zoo - Jambi was also a victim of human cruelty. The 9 years old Sumatran tiger named Peter, was poisoned to death on August 17, 2013, around 19:30 pm.

"The beast's death cause is confirmed by poisoned, according to the forensic laboratory results showed there's strychnine poison in the pet food," said Head of Jambi Provincial Livestock Office (Dinas Peternakan Provinsi Jambi), Sepdinal. Peter is the second tiger that was poisoned to death in Rimbo Park Zoo - Jambi. In early 2012, a tiger in there also dead poisoned.

Death of Peter is just one proof of the existence of the obstacles that facing the "Save the Tiger Now" campaign, a global campaign that led the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was trying to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, to coincide with the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese calendar.

The "Save the Tiger Now" campaign, a global campaign that led the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was trying to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, to coincide with the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese calendar. (Picture from: http://www.savetigersnow.org/)

"A century ago, there were 100 thousand tigers are exploring the forests, swamps, and tundra in Asia," said WWF in their website. Recent research indicates a rise in the global tiger population, with the current worldwide count reaching 5,574, as reported by WorldAnimalFoundation.org.👈

The conservation organization predicts, if left unchecked, the wild tigers will be extinct in just a few decades ahead. The high demand for tiger's body parts and organs poses a threat to the tiger's existence.

Tigers are hunted to near-extinction by poachers who target the skin, bones, teeth, and claws. Tiger's parts is of high value because it is considered efficacious as traditional Asian medicine.

Tiger bones, for example, is used as a remedy for various diseases for over 1,000 years. Nails, teeth, and hair, for example, believed to bring good luck and protection. Skin and wine that made from the tiger bone became a status symbol of its owner.

Leonardo DiCaprio's banner for the "Save the Tiger Now" campaign. (Picture from: http://www.savetigersnow.org/)

According to TRAFFIC, a network which oversees the wildlife trade found that during 2010-2012, the law enforcement in Asia is managed to thwart smuggling body parts of 200 tigers every year. In the last 10 years, more and 1,000 tigers were slaughtered to meet the needs of consumers in Asia. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WORLD ANIMAL FOUNDATION | SYAIFUL BAKHORI | KORAN TEMPO 4325]

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