712 Tibetan Antelopes Killed as IFAW Calls for Strengthened Wildlife Law Enforce

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22-MAY-2003

712 Tibetan Antelopes Killed as IFAW Calls for Strengthened Wildlife

Law Enforcement

 

(Beijing, China - 22 May 2003) - The tragic killing of 712 Tibetan

antelope in northwest China earlier this month raised fears of

escalating poaching. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW-

www.ifaw.org) has responded by strengthening wildlife law enforcement

in the region, specifically to protect the calving grounds of this

endangered species.

 

 

For full text please visit:

http://www.ifaw.org/page.asp?unitid=858

 

712 Tibetan Antelopes Killed as IFAW Calls for Strengthened Wildlife

Law Enforcement

 

(Beijing, China - 22 May 2003) - The tragic killing of 712 Tibetan

antelope in northwest China earlier this month raised fears of

escalating poaching. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW-

www.ifaw.org) has responded by strengthening wildlife law enforcement

in the region, specifically to protect the calving grounds of this

endangered species.

 

Chinese media reported Kekexili Nature Reserve rangers encountered

two armed poaching gangs in the area between Qinghai province and

Xinjiang Autonomous Region, while patrolling the reserve's core

protected area. They pursued the groups and eventually arrested 9

suspected poachers, confiscated 712 Tibetan antelope skins and

numerous weapons. Most of the Tibetan antelopes killed were pregnant

females on their migration to calving grounds. The massacre site left

712 adult female bodies and almost the same number of unborn babies.

 

IFAW quickly condemned the brutal massacre of Tibetan antelopes, an

endangered species protected in China's Wildlife Protection Law,

warning the danger of extinction still glooms over this species. To

enable more effective protection of the Tibetan antelope calving

grounds, IFAW issued a grant of US$30,000 to the Arjin Shan Nature

Reserve in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, one of the key protected areas

within the Tibetan antelope range.

 

" We cannot predict how this massive killing, especially of so many

females, will impact the recovery of the population, which has been

estimated at only 50,000, " said Aster Zhang Li, IFAW China Country. " This poaching incident simply proves protecting the

habitat and migratory routes of Tibetan antelope and increased law

enforcement efforts are urgently needed " .

 

Arjin Shan Nature Reserve combined Tibetan antelope behavior research

with habitat protection and wildlife law enforcement. Using data

collected from Tibetan antelope calving ground population monitoring,

the nature reserve successfully conducted anti-poaching patrols and

implemented habitat restoration projects.

 

IFAW campaigns around the world against the market for shahtoosh, for

which the Tibetan antelope are killed. In China, IFAW supports the

efforts taken so far by China to enhance the protection of Tibetan

antelope in the wild, including habitat conservation and law

enforcement.

 

" This incident and the confiscation of 215 kg of wool by India law

enforcement officials just last month indicate the fight for their

protection is far from over. " Commented Grace Gabriel, Deputy of IFAW's global Wildlife and Habitat Program. " Protecting

this species in the wild and their natural environment is the only

chance they have to recover. If these animals are not safe in the

nature reserves, where is their safe haven? "

 

End