Strategies to Save the Tiger

Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affiars
June 13, 2008

The World Bank has joined the fight to combat wildlife trafficking with its focus on the tiger. The World Bank recently held an event and presented a five-point action plan to engage governments, nongovernmental organizations, scientists and conservationists in strategies to save the tiger. Among the guests at the event were Harrison Ford, Special Envoy for Wildlife Trafficking Bo Derek, and Assistant Secretary for Oceans, Environment, and Science Claudia A. McMurray.

Tiger populations have plummeted from an estimated 100,000 in the early 20th century to only a few thousand today. The latest official tiger census in India released in 2008 put the figure at a mere 1,411 left in the wild. McMurray recently testified before Congress on the importance of stopping illegal trade in animals. “Wildlife trafficking is often linked to other forms of organized crime, including the smuggling of drugs, weapons and people,” she said.

Harrison Ford recently completed filming of three Public Service Announcements highlighting the plight of illegally trafficked goods. The U.S. State Department enlisted conservation organization WildAid and Ford in the effort to reach a global audience and raise consumers’ awareness about the magnitude of criminal trafficking in wildlife. The announcements are being distributed via U.S. embassies worldwide.

The global black market in wildlife and wildlife products is estimated to generate about $10 billion annually, and much of it is organized by international crime syndicates, the same professional criminals who typically are involved in human trafficking and drug smuggling. This is one reason the United States has taken a hard line against the illegal wildlife trade and co-founded the CAWT in 2005.

Today, CAWT has six government and 13 international nongovernmental organization partners. The partnership works with international anti-trafficking law enforcement and conservation organizations, and assisted the Association of Southeast Asia Nations to establish its wildlife enforcement network (ASEAN-WEN).