Tiger Poaching

You said: People kill tigers to protect their livestock

That's often the case. In many parts of Asia, people see tigers as predators that attack and kill cows, pigs, and sometimes even people. The easiest way to protect their livestock--and their income--is by killing every tiger they can.

Many people, however, do not kill tigers strictly to protect their own livestock. They also kill tigers because they can earn money by selling tiger parts. These people are often very poor and must support their families in any way they can. Tiger traders may pay poachers about $60 for a dead tiger. That is a lot of money for a peasant in India, but a tiny percentage of the thousands of dollars the tiger will bring at its final destination.

No one knows exactly how many tigers are killed each year by poachers. In India alone, where about half of the world's 4,500 to 7,000 wild tigers live, it is estimated that poachers kill a tiger every day. Nor is the impact of poaching limited to the loss of the actual animal killed. A poached female may leave behind her cubs, who will probably die as well. The poaching of a male may trigger an intensive struggle among other males for his territory, disrupting breeding and causing cubs to be killed in the process.

Poachers use several methods to kill tigers. They may place poison in the carcasses of dead animals such as cows and domestic buffalo. Tigers that eat the dead animals also consume the poison and die. Forest ponds may also be poisoned to kill tigers that come to the pools to relieve their thirst.

Some poachers also use steel traps. These traps are so strong that it can take six people to pry one apart. Tigers are not the only ones to be caught in these traps. In some areas, poachers set so many traps that people are caught and injured in them as well.

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