Sunday 28 July 2013

Burning Brighter?

There is an interesting newspaper story about local Nepalese being recruited to 'hunt' poachers of tigers in their Himalayan region (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/28/tigers-extinct-endangered-patrol-nepal?INTCMP=SRCH). It is claimed that the action has led to a "small but encouraging rise in tiger numbers". The poachers, of course, are very heavily financially rewarded by selling tiger parts (especially the bones) for Chinese medicine and getting the locals to appreciate their 'star' conservation subjects can be an effective strategy. The presence of tigers might well increase tourism to the region. Given, however, experiences with other poached species (e.g. Elephant and Rhinoceros), one can't help but fear the poachers will ratchet up their 'game'. Their financial inducements might well increase. 

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