Tim Worstall

The Coming Tiger Extinction

The dramatic decline of the world’s wild tigers is an absolute tragedy.
In little more than a century 95 per cent of wild tigers have been
wiped out, three of the seven sub-species (Javan, Bali and Caspian)
have become extinct, and within the next few decades we may see the
disappearance of the planet’s most spectacular predator from the wild
forever.
…
New statistics indicating that there may only be 1300 tigers left in
India – a third of the 2002 population estimates – make deeply
depressing reading. If they are being decimated in India – their
stronghold – what hope can there be for the species?

Lucky that there’s some 25,000 tigers in captivity in the US alone then really.

In

6 responses

  1. IanCroydon Avatar
    IanCroydon

    So what’s the message ? Private ownership of tigers trumps “public” ownership. “Don’t shoot _my_ tiger” compared to; shoot as many as you can before they catch you ?
    Wasn’t there a scheme about villages “owning” wild elephants and rhinos in Africa some years back that seemed to solve the poaching crisis, i.e. a bunch of angry villagers with big sticks was a bigger deterrent than big government and unenforcable protection laws ?

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  2. JuliaM Avatar
    JuliaM

    “Lucky that there’s some 25,000 tigers in captivity in the US alone then really.”
    Not really. As I commented last time this came up, a lot of them are hybrids, and so not much use for preserving the distinct subspecies.
    “Wasn’t there a scheme about villages “owning” wild elephants and rhinos in Africa some years back that seemed to solve the poaching crisis, i.e. a bunch of angry villagers with big sticks was a bigger deterrent than big government and unenforcable protection laws?”
    Yes, that’s a tack that’s pushed a lot (ascribing value to wildlife that then benefits the people who have to live with it), and does tend to reduce poaching for the pot/killing to prevent crop damage.
    Of course, the animal rights loonies object when it’s pushed by game farms for trophy shooters, but who cares what they think… 😉

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  3. Kit Avatar
    Kit

    Via Carpe Diem. Although it is about elephants it would equally apply to tigers:
    http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2007/03/save-elephants-buy-ivory.html

    Reply
  4. Philip Hunt Avatar
    Philip Hunt

    Captive tigers are better than no tigers, but it’d be nice if there were tigers in the wild too.

    Reply
  5. jameshigham Avatar
    jameshigham

    Caught the eye immediately. It’s more than a tragedy – it’s a crime.

    Reply
  6. Maggie's Farm Avatar
    Maggie’s Farm

    Friday Morning Links

    Chart on right borrowed from S,C A. What’s with that DC number?Soros’ ACT fined $775,000 by FEC. The organization doesn’t seem to care.Accusations of corruption in pro tennis. BreibartAnti-war demonstrators are being paid? Am ThinkerMaking some mone

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