Humanity’s shame over the treatment of tigers

FEBRUARY 1 marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year and Leicester celebrated this, the Year of the Tiger, with a number of events that were enjoyed by many spectators.

The tiger is a charismatic animal regarded as a symbol of strength and fearlessness, and shrouded in mystery.

Like many iconic animals tigers are threatened by the illegal trade in animals and their body parts; habitat loss and fragmentation and human persecution.

Many tigers are now captive bred not only in Asia but also in the US and South Africa.

British trophy hunters can shoot farmed tigers in sickening “canned hunts”, where they are sitting targets, for £34,000.

Tiger body parts are highly-prized in traditional Chinese medicine and also for luxury goods. The animals are often worth more dead than alive.

Because tigers are very popular and attractive they are often used by big brands in their commercials.

There are currently a number of TV ads that use tigers which benefit the companies financially.

Sadly it is reported that these companies which use the animals as props are reluctant to donate any of their profits to tiger conservation.

Fortunately after a century of declining numbers of tigers a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) study has revealed that in some parts of the world their numbers are recovering.

However they continue to face serious threats as the demand for their body parts is a multi-million dollar industry.

What an indictment of the human race that has reduced these majestic animals to commercial commodities.

Elizabeth Allison