Animal adoptions, wildlife protection, wildlife conservation, stopping the illegal hunting trade: Care For The Wild International

Last year, Tibetan enforcement officers intercepted 32 tiger, 579 leopard and 665 otter skins in one single shipment. Illegal wildlife trade devastates populations of endangered Himalayan and sub-Himalayan wildlife such as tigers, leopards, snow leopards, rhinos, otters and bears.

Tibetans living in India and Nepal have become increasingly involved in illegal wildlife trafficking. Most wildlife seizures in the region, especially in Northern India, now have a Tibetan connection. Tiger and snow leopard skins and bones, otter pelts, and even live animals are smuggled from India to Nepal and into Tibet, from where they are sent to China and elsewhere to supply food and medicine markets.

The UK-based wildlife charity Care for the Wild International and the Wildlife Trust of India have teamed up with the offices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to instigate a conservation education and awareness programme to persuade Tibetans not to engage in illegal wildlife trade.

The programme, which is funded by Care for the Wild International, will be launched in Delhi on 6th April (see below). His Holiness the Dalai Lama will attend the launch and speak about the conservation of nature and wild species. Other speakers include Care for the Wild International’s Chief Executive Dr Barbara Maas, Mr Ashok Kumar from the Wildlife Trust of India and UNESCO representative and conservationist Dr Kapila Vatsyayan.