Years of deforestation, population growth and war have taken a tragic toll on tigers. Despite being on the endangered species list and increased legislation globally against the trade of tigers, little has deterred their continued hunting in remote areas of the region including Vietnam. There are an abundance of threats to the survival of tigers, and most are caused by humans. Many fears and beliefs about tigers are completely unwarranted. Tigers are known to be ferocious hunters and many people believe that they hold special medicinal powers. Tiger parts are thought by some to be an aphrodisiac and various parts from bones, whiskers, fat, liver, and even the tigers penis are believed to give miraculous effects. In many parts of Asia, a bowl of tiger penis soup can cost about US $350. Traditional Chinese medical practitioners claim that tiger parts can cure ailments ranging from arthritis to virility. China is by far the largest market for tiger parts despite signing strict laws against the poaching and trading of tigers. Since the country has nearly eliminated their own tiger population, the black market and Chinese traditional medicine markets have begun looking for a replacement source from other places throughout Asia, including Vietnam. In Vietnam, tigers have been hunted to a point of depletion despite moves by the government and international agencies to protect them. Hunting and trading tigers was officially banned in 1989, but this has had little effect on the black market and poachers as they continue to operate undeterred by the law and without fear of repercussion. As with many issues, awareness and education are vital to help stop the problem. Developed and developing countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and China, continue to view tiger parts as a sign of status and wealth or as a delicacy. Tigers In Crisis (TIC) is a group that tries to spread awareness about the conservation of tigers. They revealed the following about the hunting threat to tigers and wildlife in Vietnam: "An investigation in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong showed illegal hunting of wild animals remains popular. At least 175 professional hunters are working in the two districts of Cat Tien and Da The in the forests of Lam Dong. According to the study, hunters mainly work in protected areas like the Bi Doup National Park, Nui Ba Mountain and the Cat Tien National Park. Hunters of Don Duong, Dam Rong and Lam Ha work in Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces. They also go to Ninh Thuan and Binh Phuoc to hunt wild animals. Hunters say they use many tools in hunting, including self-made shot guns, an AR115, an M16 or even a bow. A hunter in Don Duong district said his group normally has between four and six hunters. After up to five days laying traps, they check the traps and often collect up to 40 kilos of wild animals in a pine forest in Ninh Thuan province."
EnVietnam (ENV) is an organisation actively working to bring an end to the illegal trade and consumption of wildlife in Vietnam. It has proven to be a difficult task as the organisation has investigated 84 cases involving the trade, transport, possession or advertising of tigers or tiger products. According to ENV, "These cases included 70 live tigers, out of which only three tigers were confiscated by authorities." Hunting, possession, trade, or advertising of tigers or products made from tigers is illegal under Vietnamese law but it is still happening. TIC reports that one can buy tiger bones, skins or organs right at the Hanoi airport.
According to Nick Cox, coordinator of the WWF Greater Mekong Tiger Programme, "Decisive action must be taken to ensure this iconic sub-species does not reach the point of no return. There is a potential for tiger populations in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to become locally extinct by the next Year of the Tiger, in 2022, if we dont step up actions to protect them."
The tiger population used to thrive along the Mekong, but now, the numbers have dropped significantly, to 30 tigers per country in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, according to the WWF.
"This region has huge potential to increase tiger numbers, but only if there are bold and coordinated efforts across the region and of an unprecedented scale that can protect existing tigers, tiger prey and their habitat," said Cox.
It is clear that time is running short to save the tiger population, and action must be taken now in order to prevent irreparable damage. Governments will have to crack down to protect the majestic animals before it is too late. Although China, Nepal, Japan, South Korea and Thailand have endorsed tougher protection agreements for tigers in the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), simply signing papers has not been enough. TIC states that, "Lack of government resolve and corruption at the highest levels have thwarted enforcement of other wildlife agreements that the nations have signed." Agreeing and enforcing are clearly different things.
"There is an unprecedented opportunity to galvanise political will and action to turn the tide on wild tiger numbers," said Mike Baltzer, head of WWFs global tiger initiative.
"But to do this, we must stop the trade in tiger parts, rampant poaching, and secure the tigers habitats."
The tiger population cannot wait long for these steps to be taken, they must be taken before it is too late.