The recently published report, ‘Skin and Bones Unresolved: An Analysis of Tiger Seizures from 2000-2018’ presents a comprehensive investigation into the illegal global trade of tigers and tiger parts. Prepared by TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network based in the United Kingdom, in coordination with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, this report offers an in-depth analysis covering a span of 19 years from 2000 to 2018. This marks TRAFFIC’s fourth report focusing on the illicit tiger trade.
Report Findings and Critical Insights
Notably, India emerged as the country with the highest number of seizure incidents, tallying up to 463, which equates to 40% of all seizures during this period. Furthermore, India was also the nation where most tigers were seized, with the number reaching 625. The numbers used in the TRAFFIC report are derived from the WWF’s estimate of 2,226 tigers in India back in 2016. Accounting for over 56% of the global wild tiger population, India currently houses the world’s largest tiger population. According to the Tiger Census released in July 2019, there were 2,967 tigers in India.
India’s Predominance in Tiger Related Seizures
Delving into the specifics of different body parts seized, India had the highest share worldwide in tiger skins (38%), bones (28%), and claws and teeth (42%). These figures shed light on the concerning status of illegal tiger trade in India, raising the urgency to strengthen conservation efforts.
| Country | % of Total Seizures |
|---|---|
| India | 40.5% |
| China | 11.0% |
| Indonesia | 10.5% |
Leading Countries in Seizure Incidents
The report cites India as the leading country in seizure incidents with 463 or 40.5% of the total seizures. In second place stands China, contributing to 11% of total seizures with a count of 126. Following closely is Indonesia, attributed to 10.5% of total seizures, amounting to 119 incidents. Armed with these findings, the nations, conservation bodies, and the global community at large are challenged to address this persistent and pervasive issue of illegal tiger trade, working towards safeguarding these magnificent creatures.