Exploiting tigers new tourist attraction

Many Asian countries believe in the use of tiger body parts in medicinal cures. These cures range from arthritis or bad skin to major cures of malaria or meningitis. Although there has been little scientific evidence to back up these claims, many individuals still believe in the tiger’s natural ability to heal.

Due to the tiger’s endangered species status, many in the scientific community are encouraging individuals to choose proven over-the-counter or natural remedies in an effort to protect the few remaining tigers left in the wild. A 1993 trading ban on tiger parts was also implemented in an attempt to stifle poaching. There has, however, been a creative means around this ban which is being implemented across China in the guise of tiger farms.

Tiger farms are large facilities in which tigers are being bred at a rampant rate. On the outside these facilities are suppose to be tourist attractions. For a price, tourists can visit these farms and see the hundreds of tigers crammed into small enclosures, some will even do a few tricks. For a few dollars more, visitors can watch as live chickens are released into a cage for a grisly feeding. For a far more substantial fee, tourists can watch a live cow released.  Under the surface, however, these facilities take part in far more questionable practices. The tigers often suffer from extreme neglect.
Very few receive any sort of medical care and rampant inbreeding has left many of these creatures permanently deformed. Often tigers who have passed their breeding prime are simply left to waste away; their carcass then being broken down into various parts and sold.

It is frustrating to me to see such beautiful and majestic creatures being treated in this manner. Even more aggravating is the blatant, in-your-face manner in which these tiger farms are selling their products. Two years ago, many farms were selling tiger steaks in their restaurants as “Big King Meat.” However, after a large amount of angry publicity, the farms have become more secretive in their selling of tiger-based products.

 Tiger Wine is a well-known tonic that is believed strengthen bones. Its selling price is right around 132 dollars a bottle. You may be happy to note, however, that Tiger Wine is no longer sold at these facilities. Instead a new product labeled as “Bone Strengthening Wine” is available. The words “tiger bones” no longer appear in the ingredients list either; instead “rare animal bones” is used. Now it doesn’t take a genius to figure this scheme out.Tigers are creatures of incredible strength and beauty.

They have been present in our lore, literature, and film for centuries. It would be a shame if we let these amazing creatures sink into extinction due to facilities like tiger farms.