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Help The Environmental Investigation Agency Stop The Illegal Trade In Tiger Bone Wine

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 Source: UK
Posted in Environment Wildlife | Tagged Environment, Wildlife

Worldwide, efforts to save the wild tiger are threatened because of an attempt to revive the trade in their body parts. Environmental Investigation Agency has recently uncovered outlets openly flouting international law by selling tiger bone wine.  This so-called ‘tonic’ is made by steeping the skeletons of tigers in alcohol before it is sold on the black market. The animals used are specifically bred for this purpose on tiger farms where they inevitably die. 

To see the video evidence that our investigators have gathered click here

Although China enforces a domestic ban on the trade of tiger parts, some businessmen are actively trying to have these laws lifted, so that they can make even more money from this. This in turn would lead to a greater market for body parts and skins from the few wild tigers that remain, as it would be easier for poachers and criminals to smuggle wild tiger parts into the industry.

As it’s cheaper to kill a wild tiger rather than rear a captive one it’s clear that legalising this trade would only increase the demand for products like tiger bone wine and will raise the price on the heads of wild tigers, pushing them nearer the brink of extinction.

Act now by sending an email to the Chinese ambassador to the UK, asking her to

keep the tiger trade ban in place.