In the last century, human beings have taken responsibility. disappearance of 97% of the world’s tiger population and even if it seems incredible, There are more tigers in captivity than in the wild. Although its wild population does not reach 4,000 specimens, it is estimated that around 14,000 tigers lived in cages in 2019 (913 in Europe, more than 8,000 in Asia, and more than 5,000 in the USA).
Now an operation has been launched with the double goal of removing many of these specimens from captivity while also repopulating extinct wild populations. Mexican Association of Zoos, Hatcheries and Aquariums (AZCARM) and the Ostok Conservation Area, all located in Aztec country, About 200 tigers that were rescued, abandoned or confiscated were sent to a conservation center in India. zoos in the country
About 50 lions and leopards were also transferred from seizures and rescues or circuses that could no longer care for or care for them.
The purpose of this operation is to repopulate Indian territories with this species.because although it is its homeland, it is in danger of extinction there due to poaching and destruction of its habitats.
AZCARM president Ernesto Zazueta commented to the Mexican press that the best place for these animals is their homeland.
“A few months ago we undertook intensive work with the Green Zoo Rescue and Rehabilitation Center of India to carry out this important transfer of nearly 200 tigers, and they are not just for their own sake, but also for their own sake. a special program that includes all the necessary procedures to release this species into the natural environment, so that they can repopulate the areas where they have actually disappeared.”
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that less than 4,000 of all tiger species remain in the world.
This body remembers tigers They are hunted as trophies and to extract parts of their bodies used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Zazueta pointed out that this transfer is a very intense work that involved the intervention of many people, including big cat experts, veterinarians, authorities, shippers and others.
It has ensured that they comply with the documents required by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and animal health requirements published by both countries.
“It has been a long and intense process, and to achieve this we had to work to obtain the documents requested by CITES. and by the environmental authorities of both countries. The transplanted animals also went through a grueling review of their physical condition, as they had to be very healthy to withstand such an hour-long journey by plane,” he added.
Upon arrival in India, the animals were quarantined for observation. They will then go through the process of adapting and mating to the environment and then work on a specific conservation and revitalization program.
“I believe they will be very good. It is a very spacious, one hundred percent natural, public rescue center. We already have 100 more copies to hand over in the same way,” he said.
They survive in only 5% of their historical territory.
Tigers currently occupy 5% of its territory date, It goes from a population of 100,000 specimens at the beginning of the 20th century to the current figure of just 3,890 tigers living in the wild. Although an alarming figure, We have had an optimistic recovery in recent years. with the increase in their population. Its population was 3,200 people in 2010. 3,890 at the last census.
In this video, you can see the evolution of their geographic distribution and what they could potentially achieve if appropriate action was taken.
Species smuggling is the biggest threat these symbolic cats face. they hunt for them traffic in their bones used in medicine for their supposed aphrodisiac powers or miraculous anticancers; for sell your furs and make rugs and decorative objects; and tear off its claws and fangs, which are sold as amulets.
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