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| A dead tiger recovered by authorities |
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has recently reported that Vietnam's tiger population consists of thirty individuals in the wild, compared to hundred from ten years ago. The leading conservation body further added that the global tiger population had decreased by 97 % since the beginning of the 20th century. According to Do Quang Tung, deputy director of CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species) Vietnam, the main cause was deforestation. However, he further added that the increase in human population has put pressure on the tiger population along with poaching and wildlife trafficking. According to WWF manager of protected areas, species and wildlife trade Nick Cox, the nation was a major trading hub for tiger products. Global Tiger Initiative's (GTI) program director Keshav Varma reminded that if illicit activities continue, then Indochina's last remaining tigers would be gone within a few years.
This is an extremely critical and shocking news. It clearly highlights the major causes of threats affecting the world's tiger population, particularly in Vietnam. In my opinion, the news very much coincides with what Douglas Hendrie of Education for Nature Vietnam said about the growth in the nation's economic progress (it was primarily due to increase in wildlife consumption). Even though the facility he works for aims to encourage young children to turn away from consuming wildlife products, the lucrative trade still prevails. And now, the total tiger population in Vietnam is on the brink of extinction. My point of view is that not only is the situation critical, but the nation has become a ticking time bomb for tigers. Any further illicit activity, and the population will continue to fluctuate until Vietnam has permanently rid of its tigers. This calls for drastic measures, meaning double in action from law enforcement and efforts to crack down any rings specializing in the illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam.
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