Preservation of Tigers
By Bobby George
Threats
Tigers are an endangered animal, and have gone extinct in many countries. They are losing their natural habitats due to construction of roads, farms, logging interests and urban development. Hunters who kill deer for either human consumption or illegal trade are make deer and other prey scarce. Logging roads give people more access to where wild tigers live, disrupting the tigers fragile environments. Even though the selling of tiger parts is illegal, hunters still kill them for their bones, pelt, and other body parts, all of which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. In 1920 it was estimated that there were 100,000 tigers living in the wild, and today that figure is estimated to be a few thousand.
Reasons for preservation
The tiger ,as a large predator, plays a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. These ecosystems supply both nature and people with fresh water, food, and health– which benefits tigers and people. Tigers can also help some of the world's poorest communities, because where tigers are. There are tourists. Where there are tourists, poor communities with few alternatives for income can make money. Tiger preservation programs also help provide alternative livelihoods for rural communities that raise money and are more sustainable. With a single tiger, we protect around 25,000 acres of forest. To save tigers we need to protect the forest habitats across Asia where they live. By protecting biologically diverse places, such as these, we let tigers roam and protect the many other endangered species that live there.
preservation methods
One method to protect tigers is legally through government agencies, such as the Endangered Species Act of 1973. which provides protection for all endangered species. Another method is to increase public awareness to get more support to protect tigers. Non-government agencies also help, by providing assistance for tiger law enforcement personnel and alerting to governments to problems at ever level. An example is the Save the Tiger Fund established in 1995 by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Exxon corporation. This fund is used to support preservation projects, education efforts throughout the world and for tiger breeding programs. Zoological parks also help to protect the tiger population. As an example, the SeaWorld and Busch Garden Conservation Fund works on behalf of wildlife and habitats worldwide, encouraging solutions through supporting species research, animal rescue and rehabilitation and conservation education. This fund has protected tigers since 2004, through conservation education programs, species research and habitat protection.
Sources of Information
"Tiger." – Saving Wildlife. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2014.
WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
"Tigers Conservation and Research." Seaworld.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2014.