Poachers threaten survival of Cambodian species

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http://enn.com/news/wire-stories/2001/12/12132001/reu_45875.asp

 

Poachers threaten survival of Cambodian species

 

Thursday, December 13, 2001

By Reuters

 

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodian poachers killed about

wild 100 elephants, tigers, leopards, and rare bears

in the past 18 months, threatening the survival of

those species in the country, conservationists said on

Wednesday.

The numbers of endangered animals killed by hunters

makes poachers the main threat to the survival of

Cambodia's dwindling elephant and tiger populations,

they said.

 

" If this rate of poaching continues, elephants and

tigers will be extinct in the foreseeable future,''

said Hunter Weiler of the U.S.-based Cat Action

Treasury (CAT). " At the current rate of attrition

these species may not be biologically viable in three

to five years,'' he said.

 

A total of 225 large mammals were killed in three of

Cambodia's 24 provinces between May 2000 and October

2001, according to a new report compiled by CAT

wildlife rangers. The animals killed included 26

elephants, 20 tigers, 3 leopards, 47 bears, and more

than 100 wild deer and other species, the report said.

 

 

Weiler said the number of large animals killed in

Cambodia's remaining 21 provinces would push the

nationwide total higher.

 

Elephant and tiger body parts are highly prized for

use in traditional Chinese medicine, and poachers can

earn large sums from the trade. Deer are also popular

for food and medicinal purposes.

 

Experts estimate between 300 and 600 wild elephants

still live scattered in remote parts of Cambodia. The

country's tiger population is estimated to be even

lower.

 

Cambodia has laws to protect endangered animals, but

three decades of civil war, including the 1970s Khmer

Rouge " killing fields'' regime, has left the country

poor and the judicial system open to corruption.

Arresting poachers is also difficult as many illegal

hunting operations involve police and military

personnel.

 

Copyright 2001, Reuters

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Poachers threaten survival of Cambodian species

 

Thursday, December 13, 2001

By Reuters

 

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Cambodian poachers killed about

wild 100 elephants, tigers, leopards, and rare bears

in the past 18 months, threatening the survival of

those species in the country, conservationists said on

Wednesday.

 

The numbers of endangered animals killed by hunters

makes poachers the main threat to the survival of

Cambodia's dwindling elephant and tiger populations,

they said.

 

" If this rate of poaching continues, elephants and

tigers will be extinct in the foreseeable future,''

said Hunter Weiler of the U.S.-based Cat Action

Treasury (CAT). " At the current rate of attrition

these species may not be biologically viable in three

to five years,'' he said.

 

A total of 225 large mammals were killed in three of

Cambodia's 24 provinces between May 2000 and October

2001, according to a new report compiled by CAT

wildlife rangers. The animals killed included 26

elephants, 20 tigers, 3 leopards, 47 bears, and more

than 100 wild deer and other species, the report said.

 

Weiler said the number of large animals killed in

Cambodia's remaining 21 provinces would push the

nationwide total higher.

 

Elephant and tiger body parts are highly prized for

use in traditional Chinese medicine, and poachers can

earn large sums from the trade. Deer are also popular

for food and medicinal purposes.

 

Experts estimate between 300 and 600 wild elephants

still live scattered in remote parts of Cambodia. The

country's tiger population is estimated to be even

lower.

 

Cambodia has laws to protect endangered animals, but

three decades of civil war, including the 1970s Khmer

Rouge " killing fields'' regime, has left the country

poor and the judicial system open to corruption.

Arresting poachers is also difficult as many illegal

hunting operations involve police and military

personnel.

 

Copyright 2001, Reuters

 

 

 

 

 

Check out Shopping and Auctions for all of

your unique holiday gifts! Buy at

or bid at http://auctions.