BAN BIG CAT POACHING AND ILLEGAL TRADE IN BHUTAN
- by: Ruth McD
- recipient: Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan
The Royal Government of Bhutan has placed significant emphasis on conserving the country’s biological resources. Around 26% of Bhutan has been set aside under the protected areas system in an effort to conserve its biological resources. However, poaching and illegal trade in wildlife parts has been identified as a major threat facing the protected areas.
The high commercial value of certain species attracts poachers, and poaching is a direct threat to several species in the protected areas. Prominent species poached for commercial trade include tiger, musk deer, black bear, and Chinese caterpillar (Cordyceps sinensis). Poaching for commercial trade is generally influenced by demand from outside the country.
Tigers are particularly threatened by poaching and illegal trade as tiger parts are used in many traditional East Asian medicine disciplines. Poaching to supply the demand for tiger parts, particularly bone for use in traditional medicines, is the most immediate risk to the tiger's long-term survival. In addition, there also exists a commercial demand for non-medicinal parts of the tiger, most notably the skin, teeth and claws.
Besides poaching for commerce, human/wildlife conflicts also exist because of the damage wildlife causes to agricultural crops and livestock. This often results in retaliatory killing of some wildlife species.
The protected areas do not have adequate human resources for law enforcement, making it difficult to enforce an effective anti-poaching strategy. Data regarding the degree of poaching and killing is also generally inadequate. If law enforcement is not strengthened and strict measures put in place to curb poaching, Bhutan may lose valuable species of wildlife within a short period of time.
The Royal Government of Bhutan has placed significant emphasis on conserving the country’s biological resources. Around 26% of Bhutan has been set aside under the protected areas system in an effort to conserve its biological resources. However, poaching and illegal trade in wildlife parts has been identified as a major threat facing the protected areas.
The high commercial value of certain species attracts poachers, and poaching is a direct threat to several species in the protected areas. Prominent species poached for commercial trade include tiger, musk deer, black bear, and Chinese caterpillar (Cordyceps sinensis). Poaching for commercial trade is generally influenced by demand from outside the country.
Tigers are particularly threatened by poaching and illegal trade as tiger parts are used in many traditional East Asian medicine disciplines. Poaching to supply the demand for tiger parts, particularly bone for use in traditional medicines, is the most immediate risk to the tiger's long-term survival. In addition, there also exists a commercial demand for non-medicinal parts of the tiger, most notably the skin, teeth and claws.
Besides poaching for commerce, human/wildlife conflicts also exist because of the damage wildlife causes to agricultural crops and livestock. This often results in retaliatory killing of some wildlife species.
The protected areas do not have adequate human resources for law enforcement, making it difficult to enforce an effective anti-poaching strategy. Data regarding the degree of poaching and killing is also generally inadequate. If law enforcement is not strengthened and strict measures put in place to curb poaching, Bhutan may lose valuable species of wildlife within a short period of time.
Sincerely,
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