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Calls for global action to end tiger farming
tiger farm
Tiger farms can be a ready source for a number of tiger products, such as tiger skins and tiger bone wine.

Born Free release shocking new report which shines the spotlight on tiger farming

The Born Free Foundation have released a damning report which brings attention to the little known industry of tiger farming, as the species heads towards extinction in the wild.

The report, entitled Caged Assets: Tiger Farming and Trade, urges all countries with tiger breeding facilities to phase out tiger farms, destroy stockpiled tiger parts and put in place measures to address the use of captive-bred tigers in trade.

Tigers in these farms can be kept in cramped and unnatural conditions, with rows of cages filled with pacing, malnourished tigers. Born Free say these establishments are often open to the public, with the animals used for in entertainment shows.  

Between 40 and 50 tigers remain in the wild in China, but there are more than 5,000 in captive breeding facilities. The facilities can act as a source for numerous tiger products, such as tiger skins - which are used for luxury home decor - and tiger bone wine, made by suspending tiger carcasses in vats of wine. The latter is a prestigious item that is used to show wealth and status.

Will Travers OBE, president of Born Free Foundation, said: "The tiger farming industry has absolutely no value for conservation - these tigers are often in a pitiful state, both in terms of their genetics and their welfare. So the question begs to be asked: why are these tigers being bred, if not for trade - trade now and trade for an anticipated future when wild tigers are even rarer and the monetary value of tiger products even greater. Clearly, these tiger farms are commercial concerns and their owners are banking on extinction."

Wild tiger populations have dropped to as few as 3,000 individuals, due to poaching, human-tiger conflict and the illegal trade in tiger parts and products.

Mr Travers concluded: “The many threats faced by tigers today cannot be underestimated and how we respond to them now is critical to the tiger’s future. Our children’s children will judge us on what we do now and we must ensure that tiger farming becomes almost a figment of their imagination, an aberration that was firmly consigned to history and will never again be repeated.”

To read the full report click here. 

Photo credit: Xiongsen Bear and Tiger Mountain Village 2009 (c) Animals Asia Foundation.2

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.