Poaching accounts for 78% of Sumatran tiger deaths
Sumatran tigers are protected by law in Indonesia, with tough provisions for jail time and steep fines.
But despite increased efforts in tiger conservation, including law enforcement and anti-poaching capacity, a substantial market remains in Sumatra for
tiger parts and products.
For example, only 29% of towns surveyed by TRAFFIC did not have tiger parts for sale, while a total of 453 retail shops were reported to have tiger parts for sale, primarily canines and claws. Most trade in skins and bones was carried on in a covert manner by a variety of dealers.
Tiger bone and other tiger parts are also reportedly still smuggled out of Sumatra. Traders report that tiger parts are sold to Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and China. Singapore and Malaysia may act as transit countries as well as consumers for tiger parts.
Bone down, skin up
TRAFFIC's 2002 survey suggests trade in tiger bone has declined in Sumatra. The investigation found less tiger bone available than in a 1995 survey, and also lower prices for Sumatran tiger bone than have been reported in the past.
However, the existence of a substantial domestic market in Sumatra for tiger skins and other parts – especially claws and canines – as trophies, charms and souvenirs is a major factor in the continuing incidence of poaching. Retail prices for quoted for tiger skins have remained high, at $US1,000-3,000 since the 1970s.
Main types of tiger parts observed during 2002 market surveys
|
| |
Tiger part or product
|
Total number observed
|
% of total observed
|
| |
Claw
|
175+
|
42%
|
| |
Canine
|
102+
|
24%
|
| |
Whisker
|
80+
|
19%
|
| |
Whole skin
|
24+
|
6%
|
| |
Piece of skin
|
20
|
5%
|
| |
Bone
|
8 (= 8 cases)
|
2%
|
| |
Whole stuffed tiger |
5
|
1%
|
| |
|
|
|
Poached even in national parks
Previously, it was thought that Sumatran tigers were being poached primarily on the edges of forests in regions near villages where they come into conflict with people. However, in the
TRAFFIC survey, poachers and undercover investigators state that tigers are hunted deep within national parks.
Only 4 convictions for tiger poaching since 1997
Adequate legislation is in place in Indonesia to protect the Sumatran tiger. However, enforcement and prosecution of these laws is lacking or, in many areas, non-existent. In Sumatra there have been only four known convictions for tiger poaching and trade since 1997.
Why?
Resources are limited in Indonesia, especially for the prosecution of wildlife cases.
However, the lack of trained and capable enforcement personnel is steadily being addressed by the government and conservation groups, and there have been major investments in training and support for forestry staff and police.
Hopefully, this will not be "too little, too late".
