Guest guest Posted May 27, 2003 Report Share Posted May 27, 2003 ***************************Advertisement*************************** eCentral - Your Entertainment Guide http://www.star-ecentral.com ***************************************************************** This message was forwarded to you by yitzeling. Comment from sender: This article is from thestar.com.my URL: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2003/5/27/features/hrcat & sec=fea\ tures ________________________ Tuesday, May 27, 2003 Facts about tigers SCIENTISTS place the origin of the tiger in East Asia from where two major dispersals took place some two million years ago. From the north-west, tigers migrated through woodlands and along river systems into south-west Asia. From the south and southwest, tigers moved through continental South-East Asia, crossing into the Indonesian islands and the Indian subcontinent. There are eight subspecies: Bengal, Amur or Siberian, South China, Sumatran, Indo-Chinese, Caspian, Javan and Bali. The last three have been extinct since the 1950s. Taxonomy: The big cat comes under the genus Panthera and the species tigris. Tiger subspecies have been evaluated using both morphological (anatomical analysis) and molecular methodologies but are now being re-evaluated using the latest techniques of molecular analysis with samples being collected from wild tigers in the Russian Far East and India, and from captive Sumatran and South China tigers of known origin and bloodlines. Characteristics: Stripe patterns differ among individual tigers and from one side of the cat's body to the other. The stripes vary in number, as well as width and propensity to split. No two tigers have the same markings. Distribution: The geographic distribution of the tiger once extended across Asia from eastern Turkey to the Sea of Okhotsk. However, its range has been greatly reduced in recent times. Currently, tigers survive only in scattered populations from India to Vietnam and in Sumatra, China and the Russian Far East. Status: There may have been 100,000 tigers at the end of the 19th century, but a recent survey and literature review of the status of the tiger for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), concluded that the maximum number is probably no more than 7,700. Including “unofficial” institutions such as circuses, there might be more tigers in captivity in the world now than in the wild. Tiger require adequate prey, cover and water. Their ranges vary in accordance with prey densities. While females need ranges suitable for raising cubs, males seek access to females and have larger ranges. The Indo-Chinese tiger, found in eastern Burma right through continental South-East Asia to Vietnam, ranges from 1,050 to 1,750 but there is little data. A survey of major protected areas in Thailand between 1987 to 1991estimated the number of tigers in that country at 250, in sharp contrast to official government estimates of between 450 and 600. Malaysia estimates its tiger population in the peninsula at between 600 and 650. Threats: Every subspecies of Panthera tigris is endangered. Commercial poaching, a declining prey base due to over-hunting, and loss of habitat are the main threats. Maintenance of present habitats is crucial to the tiger's future, along with protection from illegal killing. The Bali and Java tigers became extinct due to extensive habitat fragmentation, widespread loss of prey through disease and over-hunting by humans. Large numbers of tigers were killed in the 20th century in Russia and China when they were officially considered pests and bounties were paid for their destruction. Tigers have been traditionally hunted for their skins, while their body parts are used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicines. Severe habitat loss has occurred in the last century with the growth and spread of human populations, settlements and activities. Owing to its precarious status in the wild, the tiger is listed on Appendix I of CITES which prohibits any trade. It is also protected by national laws. & #8211; By Hilary Chiew Source: World Conservation Union <p> ________________________ Your one-stop information portal: The Star Online http://thestar.com.my http://biz.thestar.com.my http://classifieds.thestar.com.my http://cards.thestar.com.my http://search.thestar.com.my http://star-motoring.com http://star-space.com http://star-jobs.com http://star-ecentral.com http://star-techcentral.com 1995-2002 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Star Publications is prohibited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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