IFAW: Tiger summit opens with call for action from world’s children

(St Petersburg, Russia – 22 November 2010) – As government officials from 13 tiger range states filed into a historic palace in St Petersburg, Russia to begin high-level discussions on a global plan to save tigers, they were greeted by video messages from the world’s children recorded in more than 15 countries by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

In whispers, shouts, roars and emotional pleas broadcast on a large video screen, children from tiger range countries in Asia, including Russia, India, China and Indonesia, were joined by youngsters from Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East in calling on participants in the International Tiger Forum to take a stand, make a commitment and ‘Save the tigers’.

IFAW Vice-President Azzedine Downes said: “It is humbling to listen to these kids, speaking in different languages and saying their own unique things about tigers. But, at the same time, all these kids speak in one voice, with one message when you put them all together. If our kids grow up in a world without tigers, what does that say about us?”

The video messages are moving and insightful. One Australian child’s message, “When you break a part of nature, you break a part of you,” was a theme echoed in the opening statements of governments at the Forum.

Nepal’s forestry minister, Deepak Bohara, said at a press briefing after his summit speech:

“People must realise that if animals remain in the forest habitat, then this ecosystem will remain intact. It’s not just the tigers that benefit from strong conservation programmes but also the people living side-by-side with the tigers.”

Tomorrow (Tuesday), heads of state will join Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for a high-level session of the Forum, where the range state governments are expected to endorse the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP) and a ministerial declaration with the ambitious goal of doubling the wild tiger population over the next 12 years.

The GTRP will be backed by national action plans and joint commitments to better conserve key tiger habitat across range countries, eradicate poaching and end trafficking in tiger body parts.

The Roar! Global Youth Voices video was filmed by IFAW as a special project for presentation at the summit and as part of the annual IFAW Animal Action international education programme, which reaches some five million people worldwide each year.

Ends

For more information please contact Clare Sterling at IFAW on 020 7587 6708, mobile 07917 507717 or email csterling@ifaw.org
Alternatively visit www.ifaw.org/youthroar

Broadcast quality footage available at www.ifawimages.com

Notes to Editors – The International Tiger Forum is meeting from November 21 to 24.
Founded in 1969, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats.