Tigers Killed for their Penis
March 18th, 2010
Today there are believed to be fewer than 2,500 breeding adult Tigers left in the wild, and their numbers are declining. Tigers are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.
A friend of mine is getting ready to do a documentary about these Tigers and made me aware of this horrific practice.
The greatest threats to Tigers are habitat loss, poaching and lack of sufficient prey.
Once found across Asia, from Turkey to eastern Russia, over the past century Tigers have disappeared from south-west and central Asia, from Java and Bali in Indonesia and from large parts of South-east and East Asia.
Tigers have lost 93% of their historic range, and more than 40% of their range in the last decade. Much of the remaining habitat is becoming increasingly fragmented.
Today, Tigers are found only in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and VietNam, and possibly in North Korea.
Tigers, and numerous other species of endangered wild life, have to contend with poaching! Regardless of the tigers’ classification as a “Critically Endangered” species, the demand for its parts has drastically increased at an alarming rate since the end of the 20th Century. The tiger is primarily killed to supply underground black markets with its organs, pelts and bones. These items are highly regarded in eastern medicine, claiming to posse’s capabilities to heal all sorts of human illnesses and dysfunctions. In addition, this regal and magnificent symbol of nature’s beauty and power is hunted recreationally for sport/trophies, perceived fear, and just out-rite ignorance! Unfortunately, poaching is not isolated to any one subspecies or population. All tigers, no matter were they live, seem to be under attack!
The import and exportation of tiger parts is a sizable business. The penis sells for $6,000 (USD in 2008) which is used in a soup as an aphrodisiac. Dried white tiger penis is worth even more. It is probably the most expensive piece of animal material in the world and probably the reason for the deaths of many magnificent wild tigers. A large number of Chinese still believe that the body parts of animals can cure their ailments. And the doctors who practice traditional Chinese medicine haven’t yet decided to do what they do in the west, substitute animal parts for man made ingredients. Despite the widespread availability of aspirin, a highly effective pain killer and indeed many other pain killers, many Chinese prefer to ingest crushed tiger bone for pain relief.
This practice takes place in China, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia and the other Asian countries. In 1990, over 4,180 pounds of tiger bones were exported from Taiwan to Japan. Documented records from the Korean government state that over 8700 pounds of tiger bones were imported into South Koreas from Indonesia. In Hong Kong black markets, venders sell a pound of powdered tiger humorous bone sells for over $1700.
Other tiger body parts are believed to do the following to the person who consumes them:
- 1. Heart – gives strength and courage
- 2. Tail – body rub for skin problems
- 3. Bones – put in wine for rheumatism
- 4. Brains – body rub to cure acne
- 5. Eyes – turned into pills for epilepsy
- 6. Whiskers – cure for toothache
It is still cheaper to kill and export the body parts of a wild tiger than to farm them. At this rate how long will it take for their complete extinction in the wild? Keep in mind that all of these so-called treatments are completely unproven by science and have absolutely no real medical value.
How is man considered to be of superior intelligence compared to these animals when this happens?
If man has no respect for such a remarkable animal as the tiger, how can mankind be expected to protect all of the other animals, plants and wild places sharing the planet with us? One way to help, don’t purchase items made from animal parts or made by animals (elephant paintings).
Many organizations are in need of volunteers to help save these animals and educate the public. To learn more about the tigers and things you can do, go to these websites:
I personally think that they should stop!! It is just wrong and CRUEL!!!!!!!!! FYI a lot of ppl think tigers r pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think it is ignorant to blame one entire country. Inhumanity to animals is just that by ignorant people. Old wives tales are to blame for many of these outrageous practices. Education is the answer. The “old medicine women theories” have to go away to protect all living beings. And don’t forget some cultures believe in sacrificing humans in the most extreme forms.
How can we get education to the proper parties is the real question and answer I think. It is very sad that these magnificent animals are wasted based on falsehoods.
It is hard to believe the humans feel that they can kill such magnificent creatures for any reason. There is absolutely no justification for killing tigers. None. Period. We should be doing whatever we can to support conservation of tigers and their habitat.
My understanding of these ‘traditional’ medicines based on animal parts is that SOME of them have SOME benefit. But I have never heard of an example where there wasn’t a more effective easy to access treatment, without using animal parts. Most of it is cultural myth, which is hard to change after hundreds if not thousands of years. I agree with earlier comments that these should banned if not already and enforced strictly.
Thanks for raising the topic.
The use of animal body parts is based on ignorance and superstition. The tigers are victims of the same networks that have been guilty of poaching Rhino-horn in Africa.
They are considered a delicacy in Asia, especially in the upscale restaurants, though I understand it is ‘technically’ illegal now to carry it. Still restaurants do. It is heinous, and the law outlawing it should be enforced. Between tiger penis and bear bile, these Asian customs are a terrible thing for species, tigers in fact already being endangered. I doubt they work, but even if they did, there is currently a stand-in for liver bile on the market and it is made of sustainable substances.
Of course they don’t work! These “remedies” are based on superstition, ignorance and cruelty. It is astoundingly appaling that multiple cultures would kill these magnificent beasts so that a few individuals could have a better time in bed!! Disgusting. The perfect example of human ignorance and selfishness. It would not surprise me if this beautiful creature were to go extinct because of (once again) the stupidity of humans.
Not surprised…..CHINA….they have to be the worst to animals.
The use of Tiger parts and those of other endangered animals doesn’t have a place in modern-day Chinese Medicine. If one looks hard enough they can find anything. But herbal formulas found in American settings have been redesigned to safeguard protected species AND effective at the same time.
I learn so many things from your posts, thanks.
I wish more people realized how humans are affecting animals in a negative way in many situations. Why can’t we let them live the way they are suppose to and we live our lives?
Provocative Paige! Next week we have a story on Tigers look out for it! ABC News
You can see the news in form here.
It said another 20 tigers were hungry to die.
You can translate in goole and read more.
What a pity!
Northeast China is my hometown , I am very sad to hear the news taht the tiger live in it died.
http://china.nfdaily.cn/content/2010-03/14/content_10062080.htm
I am glad you are bringing awareness to this. At first I thought this was going to tell me why killing these creatures was a good thing. Now I realize it was to make us aware of how animals are being used more and more. I’d hear of the severe abuse, and death, the elephants go through to learn to paint. I don’t think most people know that. If they did they would not buy the paintings. Thanks for your wonderful posts.
Unfortunately, the belief that wild animal parts can cure various illnesses is peculiar to the Asian world – where they have far less than benevolent attitude to animals.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be determined by the way it treats its animals,” – Mohandas Gandhi
Herein lies the problem with a lack of science in education and critically thinking individuals. Poor journalism does not help the cause either.
This stuff DOES NOT work. It is called “sympathetic magic” and is based on the false belief that like cures like.
I can’t believe humans really believe parts from a Tiger will have these affects. that is the reason we have man made drugs. I can understand using plants but NOT animals.