WWF Estimates 30 Tigers Remain In Each Of 3 Nations - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos - Reuters

A new report by wildlife group WWF says tiger populations in the region that includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have fallen to 350 from an estimated 1,200 in 1998.

Globally, tiger populations are at an all-time low of 3,200, down from an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 some 12 years ago. "Decisive action must be taken to ensure this iconic sub-species does not reach the point of no return," said Nick Cox, coordinator of the WWF Greater Mekong Tiger Programme. "There is a potential for tiger populations in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to become locally extinct by the next Year of the Tiger in 2022, if we don't step up actions to protect them," he added in a statement.

Tigers are being killed illegally to satisfy increasing demand for their body parts, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Destruction of their forest homes has also fueled the decline, said the report, released ahead of the Chinese lunar Year of the Tiger which beings next month.

Asian countries are a hotspot for the illegal wildlife trade, which the international police organization Interpol estimates may be worth more than $20 billion a year.

EDIT

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60P5F520100126?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2Fenvironment+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Environment%29

i hope the year of the tiger brings tigers back from near extinction. But I doubt it. and the inbred populations in zoos aren't going to do that population much good.

Not a tiger but a canine species -- nevertheless shows that humans WILL exterminate mammal species.

> nevertheless shows that humans WILL exterminate mammal species.

Humans will exterminate any species whatsoever if there is any
form of short-term profit to be made.

:grr: