Guest guest Posted July 13, 2001 Report Share Posted July 13, 2001 Australia joins tiger protection group http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=11552 AUSTRALIA: July 13, 2001 CANBERRA - Australia said yesterday it has joined a global forum to protect endangered tigers, building on a 1994 treaty aimed at conserving tiger populations and their habitats. Environment Minister Robert Hill said Australia had accepted an invitation to join the Global Tiger Forum, established in 1994 by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Vietnam and the United Kingdom, to help breed tigers in captivity. "While our first commitment is towards conservation of Australia's own endangered animals, we nevertheless want to work with developing countries within the Asia-Pacific Region to assist in their conservation efforts," Hill said in a statement. Tigers, which are not native to Australia, are hunted for their heads, skins, teeth, claws, bones and internal organs, which are used for trophies and in traditional medicines. It is believed tiger numbers have dwindled to less than 6,000 from an estimated 100,000 in the early 1900s. Hill said Australian zoologists have identified the Sumatran sub-species of tiger as one that Australia could assist through a captive breeding programme and fundraising. REUTERS NEWS SERVICE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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