tiger

The Premier of China, Wen Jiabao has publicly stated that he is committed to saving the wild tiger. However, his government is allowing trade in tiger skins from tiger farms and skins taken before poaching was outlawed. This trade is acting as a smokescreen for skins taken by killing wild tigers. If China does not stop this trade, the wild tiger is doomed. See how they obtain the tigers and more tiger farm images. You can add your signature here.

Does Wen Jiabao have the balls to stand up for the last tigers? We sure hope so and support him in his endeavours.

Tiger Farms

Tigers are currently starved to death on 'tiger farms' in China because, if a tiger dies of 'natural causes', the taking of its body parts is legal.

Half way through last century, when I was born, tigers were already known to be in danger of extinction. The predictions of that time have been steadily confirmed. There are currently (2012) estimated to be only 3,200 tigers left in the wild.

If you want to read about people who are kind to tigers, there is also some good news about tigers from Panna, a protected area, but poachers still manage to kill the tigers there. See "Great News from Panna."

The Tiger by William Blake

Tiger Tiger. burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye.
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat.
What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp.
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears
And watered heaven with their tears:
Did he smile His work to see?
Did he who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger Tiger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?