Tigers could be extinct in 12 years: World Wildlife Fund

[marmar]

The world's tiger population could soon be extinct because of illegal trophy hunting, deteriorating habitats and the use of tiger parts in Eastern medicine, environmental experts warn.

World Wildlife spokeswoman Marie von Zeipel says the tiger is one of the most threatened species and could face extinction within 12 years. The organization estimates that there are 3,200 tigers in the wild.

Von Zeipel told The Associated Press that the wild tiger population has shrunk 97 per cent in 100 years and that "if nothing drastic happens the curve is heading straight for disaster."

Her comments on Friday came after the wildlife organization hosted a seminar in Stockholm about the plight of wild tigers.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/10/22/tigers-extinction.html#ixzz136JT3rEy

[closeupready]

1. Yes, they are likely gone, as are polar bears and penguins.

When you look at human history, people have had a big role in the extinctions of most megafauna and large carnivores who competed for food and territory. The tiger is very unlikely to survive.

[WinkyDink]

But since China owns us, there is nothing we "can" do to persuade or punish her.

This makes me sick.

Pity those who have grandchildren.

[joeybee12]

2. Very depressing...such magnificent animals...KNR

[zonkers]

3. Humans suck.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

4. K&R sad

[disillusioned73]

5. sigh......

:cry:

[Subdivisions]

6. Think about that. An iconic, majestic, and magnificent creature, snuffed

out of existance by human activity. Where does it stop?

[CountAllVotes]

7. how very sad and sickening

:( :( :( :( :( :( :cry:

:dem: :kick:

[HuckleB]

8. How? How? How?

:mad: :grr: :thumbsdown: :cry: :-(

[hughee99]

9. Will Detriot have to get a new mascot?

Not a lot of teams are named after extinct species (at least not yet, anyway).

[marmar]

10. They'll still be in zoos.

[HuckleB]

11. Well, it's true that ancestors of the Vikings remain on the earth, but...

there really aren't any more true vikings. Buffalo Bill died long before the Bills took on his name. So it wouldn't be unprecedented, really.

:)

Further, there never has been any actual Magic, nor any actual Wizards, despite the historical claims of humanity. The same could be said for Titans, Giants, Devils, and Red Bulls.

:smoke: :evilgrin:

[hughee99]

12. For that matter,

let's not forget the Spartans, Trojans, Aztecs, Demon Deacons, Argonauts, Musketeers, Maccabees, and Paul Brown. I was specifically thinking of animals, though.

[derby378]

13. Wish I could move into the open country and adopt one or two

Of course, there are problems with this. Tigers need lots of range to claim as their own turf. They need lots of meat, preferrably fresh and still wiggling. And I need one of those Troy Hurtubise "bear suits" so I can interact with the tigers without getting clawed into hamburger.

Prior experience with cats does not necessarily count towards becoming a responsible human companion for tigers.

There's also the tragic cae of Siegfried and Roy.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

14. the "designer" who made people endlessly fertile

Wasn't very intelligent.

So many women having kids at work; I have such a hard time congratulating them, knowing what we're doing to every other living thing on the planet.

:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

[Solly Mack]

15. k/r

:(

[flvegan]

16. Laughable. The World Wildlife Fund crying about hunting? Really?

Yeah, send your dollars to "anti-hunting" hunters. WWF = too stupid to get it.

[Turborama]

17. Erm, 12 years is very optimistic

If anyone who cares about tigers gets a chance to watch this, do: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/04/nat-geo-film-about-tiger-trade.html