Tiger trafficking continues with Thailand as its route

Although authorities are trying to suppress tiger trafficking, a wildlife trade monitoring network states the illicit business has not declined in Asia, with Thailand remaining a part of its active trade route. (Photo by Piyarach Chongcharoen)

There is no evidence of a decline in tiger trafficking in Asia as tiger farms continue to operate, with the route from Thailand via Laos to Vietnam remaining the most popular, a conservation network reported on Thursday.

From 2000-15, seized parts of tigers equated to a minimum of 1,755 tigers, an average of more than two animals per week, according to the latest report by wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic.

With only an estimated 3,900 tigers left in the wild, evidence indicates that an increasing number of seized animals undoubtedly originated from captive breeding operations. At least 30% of the seizures in 2012-15 were known to be of captive-sourced tigers.

It was widely believed this increase in live seizures was directly related to the rise in tiger farms, Traffic said.

"While the largest number of overall seizures was reported by India, there is evidence that traffickers are still exploiting a previously identified trade route stretching from Thailand to Vietnam through Laos, the three countries where the number of tiger farms has risen," it reported.

"Despite repeated government commitments to close down tiger farms in Asia, such facilities are flourishing and playing an increasing role in fuelling illegal trade,” said Traffic executive director Steven Broad.