Chinese wild tiger may disappear

The last wild Siberian tiger living in northeastern China may disappear in the next few decades, due to poaching and illegal logging.

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A recent study by China and the World Conservation Organization (WWF) shows that Siberian tigers are one of the most endangered species on the planet. In just 70 years, the number of Siberian tigers, also known as Amur tigers, plummeted from 300 to 18 to 22.

"If the government does not take measures to remedy the situation, the Siberian tiger will probably disappear from China within 10 to 20 years," said Zhu Chunquan, WWF's biodiversity conservation director. Beijing told China Daily.

"Hunting for wild animals - one of the tiger's main food sources, is the biggest threat to the survival of this animal. Besides, logging in the provinces Mount Heilongjiang and Jilin also affect the tiger's natural habitat , " added Zhu Chunquan.

Traps are becoming a major threat to the lives of tigers. Zhu said, the tiger trap can be easily purchased in small shops near the forest area. In October, the body of a Siberian tiger was found with a rope around the neck due to a hunter's trap near Lake Mishan, Heilongjiang.

A WWF survey, in the habitat of Siberian tigers in Heilongjiang and Jilin, averaged 10 km ² with 1.6 traps.

"WWF volunteers have removed the traps every year, but we gradually accept the fact that we cannot erase all traps. To protect the tigers, we need to call for support. of many people, " Zhu said.

To conserve rare tiger species, experts call for an expansion of international cooperation, especially between China and Russia. It is estimated that about 500 Siberian tigers in Russia's Far East and northeastern China do not have a coherent relationship to protect tigers.

Conservationists say Russia and China should have agreements to use tracking devices along the border, instead of fences. In this way, hundreds of Siberian tigers can "travel" to China.

"We are striving to double the number of wild Siberian tigers in China in 2011," Zhu said.

Other animals are also at risk of extinction due to traps."A decade ago we could see the parrot when driving in the forest, now even a squirrel doesn't see it," said Cao Zhiquan, Qiyuan farm director in Heilongjiang.