Poachers Caught on Camera

The Bengal Tiger population at the Suklaphanta Reserve in Nepal has been on the decline. In 2005 there was 20 to 50 Bengals living at the Eastern Himalayan site according to a WWF survey. Now, there is only about 6 to 14 Bengals. The reason for this decrease....poachers.

The estimates are based on the results of a long-term WWF camera trap study which ironically captured images of armed men on poaching expeditions rather than expected Bengals (Pictured to the right). The Bengal Tiger is falling fast toward extinction with an estimated 1,500 tigers left, according to the Indian government.

The scientific survey was ordered after it emerged that one of India's leading tiger reserves, Sariska in Rajasthan, had been completely emptied of tigers by poachers, provoking a national scandal. Last May, 2 tiger skins and nearly 70lbs of tiger bones were seized from the border town of Dhangadi. This past June, 2 separate raids recovered tiger bones being smuggled by local middlemen through the reserve.

When a tiger is poached, nearly no evidence is left behind. Every part of the tiger is put to use on the black market. The skin, bones and teeth are all used in traditional Chinese medicine and some parts even end up in Tiger Wine sold to tourists.

Dr. Sybille Klenzendorf, director of WWF's (World Wildlife Fund) Species Conservation Programme, said: " Every tiger lost to poaching pushes this magnificent animal closer to extinction, Tigers cannot be saved in small forest fragments when faced with a threat like illegal wildlife trade-this is a global problem that needs the concerted effort of governments, grassroots organizations and all concerned."

WWF believes tiger populations have declined by 95% over the past 100 years, and says three sub-species have become extinct with a fourth not seen in the wild for over 25 years. Bengal Tiger population estimates range anywhere from 1,400 to 2,000 for the tigers still living in the wild. Unfortunately, this recent poaching incident brings about more concern as to what is the most effective way to save these beautiful animals.