July 29 is Global Tiger Day, and the World Wildlife Fund has released some staggering new information.
There are only around 3,900 tigers that remain in the wild.
The WWF has been urging governments to increase anti-poaching efforts, and crack down on wildlife snaring.
Mike Baltzer, the leader of WWF Tigers Alive stated, “snares are dangerous, insidious and quickly becoming a major contributor to the wave of extinction that is spreading throughout Southeast Asia – and tigers are being swept up in this crisis. All efforts to recover wild tigers are now imperiled by snaring on a massive scale. We cannot over emphasize the need for strong government commitment and investment in rangers who are on the frontline of conservation, clearing snares and apprehending those who set them.”
But removing these snares is not enough. Rohit Singh, a law enforcement expert at WWF said, “removing these silent traps is not enough. Rangers on the ground must be supported by greater resources and strong legislation to take action against illegal poachers with snares."
If you would like to get involved in the efforts to save these tigers, visit the WWF website.
