End Exploitation

The exploitation of tigers for their parts and derivatives remains a major challenge in the conservation of tigers. WWF’s pursuit to curb the crisis of snaring, combat wildlife poaching, and dismantle illicit wildlife trade demands a collective coalition of organisations responding to the persistent threats. To address the demand for wildlife products, the new tiger conservation strategy, designed and implemented in partnership with TRAFFIC, emphasises the importance of not only a focus on the demand for tiger parts, and derivatives, but also the demand for other species (including tiger prey) for their meat etc, which impacts the potential for tiger population recovery.

First Asian Ranger Forum hosted in India

The Asian Ranger Forum was hosted in Guwahati, India, from 5-8 December, 2023 and was attended by 168 participants from 21 countries. More than 61% of participants were active rangers, 23% of participants were women including one of the first female rangers from Saudi Arabia and 31% identified as Indigenous People. The forum addressed different aspects of ranger work from marine rangers, Indigenous rangers, community trust, human rights, mental health, role of rangers as first responders and much more. The event culminated in the development and the release of the Guwahati Declaration, which will provide a platform to take the ranger cause to the next level, as will be required to achieve the aims of 30x30. The Declaration will feed into the 10th World Ranger Congress Declaration to be hosted in France in October 2024.

The Forum also hosted elections for the Ranger Federation of Asia where Mr Bunty Tao was elected the new president. Mr. Tao’s vast experience of ranger work and his perspective as an Indigenous person, coming from one of India's largest Indigenous tribes, Nyishi, will be of value in leading the work of the Ranger Federation of Asia.

High level consultative meeting on the role of rangers

Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA) and its member organisations hosted a high level Consultative Meeting in September 2023 in Brussels, on the role of ranger workforce, to enhance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The gathering of representatives from multi and bilaterals, foundations, governments, donors, NGOs, and global experts agreed a path forward to strengthen and enable a professional, accountable and equitable ranger workforce in support of targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by the world’s countries in December 2022. Another high level consultative meeting is being organised for the US organisations and foundations for March 2024.

SMART 7

The SMART platform, a software and analysis tool designed to help conservationists manage and protect wildlife and wild places, has launched a new version of the tool: SMART 7. The introduction of SMART 7 in January 2023 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the SMART tool, featuring substantial software enhancements and the provision of support materials to over 1,000 existing global SMART sites. With the incorporation of free cloud hosting, SMART 7 expands accessibility, enabling a more extensive utilisation of SMART Connect for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.

Insights into the implementation of SMART concerning eight crucial factors in data management and decision-making were highlighted in a WWF authored paper "Assessing the adaptive management process in SMART sites: lessons learned" in PARKS Journal in May 2023. The publication unveils findings from the assessment of 49 protected and conserved areas across 14 countries in Asia and Africa. The results underscore opportunities for improvement in the adaptive process, specifically regarding the planning of systematic patrols and the role of management in the adaptive cycle.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

Tigers are globally endangered and are protected both nationally and internationally under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES requires all member states to implement measures to restrict captive tiger populations to a level supportive only to conserving wild tigers and to prevent breeding for trade in their parts and derivatives.

The CITES Standing Committee at the November 2023 meeting discussed the results of missions to countries with captive tiger facilities of concern (Czech Republic, Laos, Thailand, Viet Nam, South Africa) and made strong recommendations on measures each government should take to effectively manage and control the captive tiger facilities and deter illegal activities. Trade from captive tiger facilities can perpetuate or stimulate demand for tigers putting more pressure on wild tigers from poaching. CITES guidance on how to determine whether captive tiger breeding contributes to conservation was also recommended for development, which WWF hopes will help strictly limit reproduction. Additionally, looking beyond the captive tiger issue, the CITES Secretariat recommended drafting country specific measures by the next meeting in February 2025. These have been long-needed to aid in greater accountability and implementation.

WWF co-organised a side event at the Standing Committee to launch the Roadmap to Closing Captive Tiger Facilities of Concern. WWF and Four Paws presented the roadmap which was developed and supported by ten organisations with expertise in tiger trade, tiger farms, big cat sanctuaries, animal welfare, and zoos. A presentation by the Slovakian Management Authority also showed how they have improved their management practices for captive tiger facilities. The Environmental Investigation Agency and Association of Zoos and Aquariums joined the panel for further discussions and questions. Beyond the launch, an advocacy plan for the Roadmap has been developed.

Dr. Akchousanh Rasphone giving an intervention about Asian big cat trade on behalf of several organisations at an intergovernmental meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). © Audrey Chambaudet / WWF

A panel of experts discuss the newly launched Roadmap to Closing Tiger Facilities of Concern at a side event during CITES Standing Committee in November 2023.

Tiger in captivity ©Heather Sohl

FEATURE STORY

Big Cat Public Safety Act

In December 2022, after almost two decades of WWF advocacy, the U.S. passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act. This ended the private ownership of big cats as pets and placed new restrictions on the commerce, breeding, possession, and use of certain big cat species. In late 2023, the first case was filed under the Big Cat Public Safety Act, when a Texas couple was charged with selling a margay and jaguar cub to undercover agents. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $20,000. This first case is a positive sign that U.S. law enforcement are taking the Big Cat Public Safety Act seriously, and it is hoped that this will also send a strong message to traffickers.

New guidance released in April 2023 by the European Commission will increase controls on the commercial trade of live captive-bred tigers, and their parts and derivatives with other countries or within the bloc, with only a few reasonable exemptions for scientific purposes for example, to help ensure the European Union doesn’t play a role in the illegal trade in tigers. This follows the publication of the 2020 WWF and TRAFFIC report, Falling Through the System: The role of the European Union captive tiger population in the trade in tigers, which recommended such guidance be produced.

Viet Nam convenes experts for improved management of captive tigers

In Viet Nam approximately 388 tigers are kept in zoos, safaris and under private ownership. In 2020, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to organise an assessment of the status of the five private facilities involved that were allowed to keep or breed tigers for conservation purposes.

Based on subsequent assessments, the development of a National Framework for the Management of Captive Tigers was proposed and in September 2023 a technical dialogue was organised to contribute ideas to this Framework. The two-day event in Phu Quoc was hosted by the Forest Protection Department and supported the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Saving Threatened Wildlife project, implemented by the Management Board for Forestry Projects, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and WWF.

60 national and international management officers and experts on tiger conservation convened to discuss solutions to manage captive tigers and facilities in Viet Nam and provide professional expertise to strengthen the management of the facilities and minimise the risk of trafficking and leakages of tigers and tiger products into illegal markets. Suggestions included building a nationwide tiger management system with individual DNA profiles and stripe patterns, providing a definition of keeping and breeding tigers for conservation purposes, and improving husbandry and welfare standards for captive tigers. Based on the above assessments and following the dialogue, the National Framework for the Management of Captive Tigers will be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for consideration.

“The management of captive tigers requires the collective effort from Government Agencies, facility owners and partners from international organisations. This was well reflected in the diversity of participants from different sectors joining the Technical Dialogue today. We welcomed the opportunity to have expert input for the improved management of captive tigers in Viet Nam”, said Ms. Michelle Owen, Chief of Party, Saving Threatened Wildlife project.

Tiger in captive facility in Viet Nam © Heather Sohl

Public Service Announcements help combat illegal wildlife product demand in Viet Nam

From 2020 to 2023, under Defra funding, TRAFFIC Viet Nam led a social behaviour change campaign to reduce the demand for tiger bone glue. 20 major interventions were implemented with Government, civil society organisations, and private sector focused on debunking misconceptions regarding the legality and health advantages associated with consuming tiger bone glue were implemented. Through September 2023, more than 2.5 million individuals were reached including 3,000 Government leaders, 2,500 traditional medicine practitioners and 1,500 business leaders.

“Maintaining healthy, natural, and clean nutrition is essential in preventing bone-related diseases. Tiger bone glue hasn't been proven as an effective treatment for these diseases”. Project Champion, MA. Dr. Tran Quoc Khanh , Spinal Surgery Doctor, Vinmec Health Care System.

©Courtesy of WWF-Viet Nam

In a step toward reducing the demand for illegal wildlife products in Viet Nam, the USAID Saving Threatened Wildlife project released a creative set of key messages and visuals in September 2023, aiming to alter consumer behaviour. TRAFFIC is the lead partner for this behaviour change work within the project led by WWF.

Translation: I conquer the top by hard work and strong will. I don’t use illegal wildlife products. ©TBC

Translation: I conquer the top by hard work and strong will. I don’t use illegal wildlife products. ©TBC

Five culturally tailored messages and visuals, tested to resonate with local audiences, addressing the motivations behind the consumption of illegal wildlife products, and encouraging social mobilisation with youth and government agencies were showcased:

Traditional medicine practitioners: urges practitioners to prescribe and use legal, safe, and sustainable ingredients.
General users: encourages individuals to showcase their strength through physical activity and not through the consumption of rare wildlife products.
International tourists: emphasises the illegality of purchasing protected wildlife products in Viet Nam.
Youth mobilisation: leverages the influence of younger generations to discourage their families and older individuals from using illegal wildlife products.
Government mobilisation: highlights the national pride associated with protecting Viet Nam’s wild species.

The messages and visuals will be employed in social media campaigns, distributed to influence target groups in high-traffic tourist locations, interactive and public events, and integrated into collaborative initiatives with partners including the Tourism, Transportation, and Traditional Medicine Associations.

Tiger demand reduction in China

From 2018 to 2023, social media campaigns implemented by WWF-China have reached over 10 million people from the target audience and collected 2 million pledges from potential consumers to become “Tiger Protectors” and refuse tiger products.

From 2022 to 2023, WWF-China hosted the “Protect Endangered Species Special Exhibition” at the National Zoological Museum of China, featuring tigers as one of the flagship species. The exhibition attracted over 300,000 visitors to learn about the conservation and legal status of tigers, with the goal of reducing demand for tigers and their parts and products among tourists.

The message was further distributed through courier channels utilising express package label ads, in collaboration with Cainiao, one of top E-commerce Logistics Groups. This achieved a wider national reach and also strengthened engagement with the logistics industry to refuse transport of tigers and their parts and products.

On Global Tiger Day, 2023, WWF-China organised a “Save the Roar” public event in Northeast China with participation from government, the public and local rangers. Online live streams of the event achieved over 1.1 million viewership. Officials and rangers from 13 local bureaus of the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park attended the workshop on law enforcement to strengthen motivation and aid capacity building at grassroot level.

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