IFAW: Rare tiger killed by poachers in Siberia

(London, 16 November 2010) – A rare Amur (Siberian) tiger was killed yesterday by poachers near Vladivostok, Russia, just days ahead of the start of an international summit to discuss their plight.

The tiger was discovered by an International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) anti-poaching patrol in the Khasan district of Primorye Province. This area of the Russian Far East, along the border with China, is home to the last 300 to 400 wild Amur tigers.

The Khasan rangers arrested four suspected poachers, who were intercepted with the dead tiger, described as a healthy, five-year-old male. One of the hunters was wounded by the tiger and is hospitalised; the other three were turned over to police for interrogation. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine equal to around £12,500.

Masha Vorontsova, Director of IFAW Russia, said: “This crime is a wake-up call. We can’t save the tigers unless we combat rampant poaching, which is the single greatest threat to the survival of this species.”

Governments of the 13 tiger range countries will convene next week in St Petersburg, Russia to agree on a coordinated, global plan to save tigers from extinction. With the ambitious goal of doubling the number of wild tigers in the next 12 years, the strategy will focus on national plans and shared commitments to better conserve key tiger habitats and combat rampant poaching, which is fuelled by trade in tiger body parts and products.

Vorontsova added: “The summit is a last chance for tigers. We must make sure that talk translates into concrete action and effective, binding agreements that save tigers on the ground.”

The scope of the black market trade in tigers was highlighted last month when 25 suspected traffickers in tiger body parts were arrested in raids across six tiger range countries as part of a two-month operation coordinated by INTERPOL. More than 110lbs (50kgs) of tiger bone, including skeletons and skulls, were seized.

IFAW works on the front lines of tiger protection to end all trade in tiger body parts and products, reduce consumer demand, provide anti-poaching training and capacity-building and secure key tiger habitat.

Ends

Notes to Editors – For more information or to arrange interviews please contact Josey Sharrad at IFAW on 020 7587 6728, mobile 07717 692099 or email jsharrad@ifaw.org

About IFAW – With offices in 15 countries, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) saves animals in crisis around the world. We rescue and provide veterinary care to individual animals and advocate for the protection of entire populations. For more information visit our website www.ifaw.org