What has led to the extinction of tigers?
Answer… Over the past 100 years, tiger numbers have declined by 95 per cent and three sub-species (Bali, Javan, Caspian) have become extinct – with a fourth (South China) not seen in the wild for over 25 years. For over 1,000 years, tiger parts have been used in traditional Asian medicines, for magic purposes, and as souvenirs, curios, status symbols, and decorative items such as wall and floor coverings. Of all these, hunting for sport was probably the main cause of declines in tiger populations up until the 1930s. Tigers are now protected throughout their range, and international trade in tiger parts and derivatives is illegal. However, poaching persistently feeds continuing consumer demand for tiger derivatives in traditional Asian medicines, and is now the largest direct threat to the species worldwide. The prosperity of the Southeast Asian and East Asian economies since the 1970s has led to an ever-increasing demand for these medicines. There are also significant markets in Euro
