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Tigers: My work in the field

Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Posted in Wildlife | Tagged Wildlife

At most, 4,000 tigers exist in the wild today. Note that number because it marks a tipping point for wild tigers. I’m Judy Mills, and I have made it my life’s work to stop the decline of these magnificent animals. I lead Conservation International’s work saving tigers and together, we are making great strides to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

You can help by making a gift right now to help CI protect the forests tigers call home. It only costs $15 to protect one acre.

Commercial poaching and the clearing of forests are robbing our world of tigers. And, as more forests are destroyed, the earth’s climate worsens. But CI is working to break this cycle.

Ending the Tiger Trade

• Tigers are among the most sought-after victims of the wildlife trade for their pelts, meat, claws, whiskers and bones. CI funded creation of the International Tiger Coalition, a global alliance of organizations representing millions of people, working as one to stop tiger trade by routing out illegal trade networks and educating stakeholder communities about tiger-part alternatives.
• CI proudly counts traditional Asian medicine communities, historic users of tiger parts, among our most valued and active partners - sharing CI’s belief that healthy people require a healthy planet.
• While domestic trade in tiger products is banned in China, a small group of profiteers are lobbying to have the ban lifted - rekindling demand for tiger-bone wine among China’s 1.3 billion people. CI is working to keep China’s ban in place.

Stopping Habitat Destruction

• CI scientists are leading efforts to identify conservation corridors that support both tigers and tiger-friendly human development in countries including China, Cambodia and Indonesia. We are focusing on the places that are the last best hope for sustaining tigers in the long-term.
• CI’s Conservation Stewards Program is helping local communities to profit from saving tigers and the prey and forests they depend on for survival.

Fighting Climate Change

• The burning and clearing of forests accounts for more carbon emissions than all the world’s cars, trucks, trains and planes combined. By preserving and restoring the forests tigers call home, CI and our partners help to stem global climate change while securing the fresh water, fertile soils, abundant wildlife, food, medicine and other benefits that healthy forests provide.

These are just a few of the ways CI is working to protect tigers, forests, and people around the world. If we allow ourselves to lose this king of the jungle how will we stop the loss of the rest our natural treasures and prevent our planet from getting ever hotter? I do not wish to find out. That’s why I work for tigers with Conservation International.

Please make a gift to support our work.

Sincerely,

Judy Mills

P.S. Charity Navigator gives CI four stars - its highest rating - in recognition of CI’s track record of good stewardship of donated funds. Every dollar spent will have the maximum impact possible.