Current estimates put the global tiger population at around 4,500 individuals, having plummeted from the 100,000 tigers estimated at the start of the 20th century, and they are currently found in less than 6% of its historical range. The situation doesn't seem to be getting any better, as detailed in the recently released report titled, Skin and Bones: Tiger Trafficking Analysis from January 2000 – June 2022, which points to no let-up in tiger trafficking in the last couple of decades. This new study by TRAFFIC revealed that authorities worldwide have seized tigers and parts equal to an average of 150 tigers a year over almost 23 years, with seizures in the first half of this year signalling the relentless pursuit of remaining wild tigers. We speak to Kanitha Krishnasamy, a co-author of the report and the Director for TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia, who sheds more light on the findings of this study, and expands on the issues contributing to this illegal trade of tigers and tiger parts.

Image Credit: TRAFFIC

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