13 Asian Nations Pledge to Save Wild Tigers

With wild tiger populations in crisis worldwide, the thirteen Asian nations, including Russia, China, India,  Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam have been signed a pledge to save and raise wild tigers population.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin hosted leaders and top officials from 12 other Asian governments in St. Petersburg Tuesday for the four-day International Tiger Forum.

Mr. Putin shared the meeting that it is important to preserve what he calls a magnificent animal for future generations. He added that he wants to see the number of Asian tigers in the wild doubled by 2022.  He called that goal difficult, but said it can be reached.

The prime minister also called for financial help for developing countries working to save wild tigers in Asia.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told the forum that to make these efforts a success, it is necessary to bolster an international crackdown on poaching and the illegal global trade in tiger parts.

Experts say the demand for tiger skins and other tiger body parts, which some believe have medicinal purposes or increase sexual performance, has contributed to pushing wild tigers to the edge of extinction.

Wildlife experts say the number of wild tigers has plummeted from 100,000 a century ago to about 3,200.