[FEL-L] Dramatic DNA evidence of tiger meat on the menu at China`s largest tiger farm

[BigCatSimba at aol.com]

Disgust as tiger meat is found on Chinese menu 

British TV crew delivers dramatic DNA evidence of tiger meat on the menu at 
China's largest tiger farm. 


April 2007. International conservation groups are calling on the Chinese 
government to open an immediate investigation into China’s largest tiger farm, 
after a Beijing-based news team reported it has proof that the farm’s restaurant 
serves tiger meat. 



The request stems from a report by Independent Television News (ITN) on the 
results of DNA testing of a piece of tiger meat served to ITN staff in February 
at Xiongsen Bear and Tiger Mountain Village near Guilin. After ITN aired a 
story about the farm’s tiger entree, the businessman who owns the farm denied 
the claim. The DNA was then tested by a laboratory in China. 
 
‘The tiger farms are business operations. It is not surprising that these 
businessmen breed tigers to sell their products. What is surprising is that the 
tiger farm owners are allowed to attend the meeting of this esteemed world body,
’ said Grace Ge Gabriel, Asia Regional Director for _IFAW_ 
(http://www.wildlifeextra.com/ifaw.html) . ‘While all other participants are discussing ways to 
protect wild tigers, these tiger farm owners are openly promoting the trade of 
tiger parts. Their shameful actions are damaging China’s image the world over.
’ 

More than 4,000 captive-bred tigers are housed on China’s tiger farms, 
several of which have breweries attached that make what they claim is ‘lion-bone’ 
wine although it is sold in tiger-shaped bottles and openly promoted as 
containing tiger bone. The wealthy farm owners are putting pressure on China to lift 
its 14-year ban on trade in tiger products. Tiger experts believe this would 
only rekindle demand and open opportunities for criminals trading in products 
from tigers poached in the wild. 

The International Tiger Coalition, an alliance of 30 organizations 
representing more than 100 organizations and millions of people worldwide, believes 
reinforcement of China’s 14-year internal ban on tiger trade is essential for 
securing a future for wild tigers. 


Tiger farming poses a devastating threat to tigers, _click here for details._ 
(http://www.wildlifeextra.com/tiger-trade.html)  

Conservationists fear this would be a catastrophic move, increasing demand 
once more, aiding poachers and smugglers and spelling a death knoll for the 
tiger. 

Now is the time to take action, it is vital that the ban is not lifted. 
Please write to the Chinese Ambassador urging him against this. 

_Click here for an example letter._ 
(http://www.eia-international.org/cgi/whatcanido/whatcanido.cgi?t=template&a=68) 
 
_http://www.wildlifeextra.com/tiger-meat.html_ 
(http://www.wildlifeextra.com/tiger-meat.html) 







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