Post date: Nov 21, 2010 11:30:1 PM
Forum begins in Russia to find ways of saving the world's threatened tiger population. Jane Ross reports.
RUSSIA-TIGERS - There are just over three thousand tigers left in the wild, down from 100,000 a century ago.
Now leaders from 13 nations with remaining tiger populations have gathered in St. Petersburg, Russia in a last ditch effort to save the tiger from extinction.
Participants in the 'tiger summit' are expected to endorse an initiative aimed at doubling the tiger population by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger, under the Chinese calendar.
Deepak Bohara is a representative of Nepal's Ministry of Forests.
Deepak Bohara, Nepal's Ministry of Forests, saying
"We have made a plan. So, the plan would be presented in this meeting and we will try to raise the funds also and will try to convince the member-countries to work on that plan, so that the tiger numbers will be doubled by 2022."
It is the first time world leaders have come together to focus on saving a single species.
Wild tigers face a losing battle with poachers who supply traders in India and China with tiger skins and parts for traditional medicines.