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Project update
- December 2005
The following
press release was used by the Daily Express on Saturday 3rd December
2005.
Siberian tiger
numbers have quadrupled in a decade thanks to innovative conservation
work by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF). But their
future still hangs in the balance.
According to the most recent survey, conducted
this year, the total tiger population is now estimated to be 431-529
- compared with fewer than 100 in 1993.
 DSWF
consultant Mark Carwardine - BBC radio 4 presenter, author, photographer
and zoologist - has just returned from the Russian Far East where
he went to investigate the current status of the world's largest
cat.
"Siberian tigers are facing a
barrage of threats from habitat loss and human/tiger conflicts
to poaching and illegal hunting of prey species. It's an extraordinary
achievement to bring this critically endangered mammal back
from the brink in such a short time."
Mark met with DSWF's conservation partner
in Russia, the Phoenix Fund, and joined DSWF funded tiger anti-poaching
patrols in the Primorye region near the borders of China and North
Korea.
"I have never seen such tremendous
determination against seemingly insurmountable odds. I was overwhelmed
by the dedication and motivation of our anti-poaching patrol
teams - they live in very rough conditions, are regularly attacked
by poachers, and even their families are threatened on a regular
basis. They are responsible for patrolling a huge area, comparable
to the size of Britain, and yet have reduced the level of tiger
poaching by half."
However, due to a lack of funding, eight
field teams have been reduced to just four with only three to
five men in each.
"The success of the Siberian
tiger project is directly related to funding - the more money,
the more anti-poaching patrols and the greater the impact. As
the situation stands at the moment, it's as simple as that".
Every little contribution helps wildlife
and remember 100% of your donation will go in full to the project - thank you!
You can also help by becoming a member
of DSWF. Click here for more information
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Photo copyright Mark Carwardine.
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