CHINA TIGER RECOVERY PLAN 2010 2022
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CHINA TIGER RECOVERY PLAN
2010 - 2022China Tiger Recovery Plan 2010 - 2022
National Plan for Recovery of Wild Tiger Population
A number of factors that have arisen as a result of about 11-16 wild individuals living in Xishuangbanna
historical developments have placed the wild tiger and Huanglianshan Nature Reserve, an area of
population in China in an extremely endangered Yunnan province bordering with Laos and Vietnam.
state. In response?a series of measures have been For the Bengal tiger, there are about 8-10 wild
taken in the form of laws and regulations, in individuals living in the forests of southeastern Tibet,
development of nature reserves, in restoration of bordering India. Given the limited technology and
habitat, in cracking down poaching and illegal trade reduced capacity of surveys and monitoring available
to save the wild tiger populations in China . Such in the past, more scientific and
efforts have led to a gradual but constant trend of
increase in the population of wild tigers, and of the reliable methods using more sophisticated technology
extension and improvement of their habitats in China. need to be adopted today in order to create a more
Furthermore, China will determinedly continue its accurate picture of both the current population
efforts to extend and ameliorate various habitats for dynamics and the current habitat of wild tigers in
the wild tiger population, whilst also exploring the China.
reintroduction of captive bred tigers into their original
range areas. The state will strengthen management 1.2 Great Efforts the Chinese Government
and law enforcement in the field of conservation, and
Has Undertaken to Save Wild Tigers
facilitate the spread of information for public
education in order to create an optimum environment
China is not only a tiger range State, but the tiger has a
that will allow for a successful recovery of wild tiger
long history in Chinese culture. Due to its great
population. This should result in a significant growth
ecological and cultural significance, the Chinese
of wild tiger populations and large-scale extension of
government has been continuously contributing its
the ameliorated habitats across China by 2022, while
great efforts in improvement of laws and regulations,
biodiversity found in the range areas of wild tigers
huge investment of substantial?financial and
would receive stricter protection and become much
personnel resources, enhancement of law
richer as a result of recovery.
enforcement etc. to save the wild tigers from its
endangered state, and by now, a series of outcomes
1. Basic Information have been achieved from the efforts as following:
1.1 Basic Information of the Population of 1.2.1 In 1988, the State Council of China approved
Wild Tigers in China listing of tiger as the species under national key
protection at the first class so as to save and
Four subspecies of tiger are found in China: The protect them legally.
Siberian (Amur) tiger (Panthera Tigris altaica), South 1.2.2 China has established 33 nature reserves and
China tiger (Panthera Tigris amoyensis), Indo- more than 70 conservation management
Chinese tiger (Panthera Tigris corbetti) and Bengal stations in the range area of wild tigers to form a
tiger (Panthera Tigris Tigris). The total sum of the wild basic network of tiger conservation to
individuals of all four subspecies existing in China is undertake patrolling of the habitat and anti-
estimated to be about 40-50. poaching of wild tigers and their prey animals
to secure the populations of wild tigers and
For the Amur tiger (P.T. altaica), the number of wild their habitats.
individuals has grown from 12-16 by end of the last 1.2.3. Since 2000, in combination with the national
century to the current population of 18-22. Their range programs for Natural Forest Protection,
of distribution is currently limited to the mountain Recovery of Farmland for Forest, and Wildlife
areas connecting Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces Conservation & Nature Reserve Development,
with Russia and the eastern mountains nearby. For the China has been actively facilitating the recovery
South China tiger, despite occasional reports of and amelioration of habitats for wild tiger
sporadic traces suggesting its presence, there has not populations.
been a confirmed expert sighting for more than 20
1.2.4. China has started a pilot trial of governmental
years in the wild. For the Indo-Chinese tiger, there are
compensation for injury of local residents andtheir domestic, and property losses caused by 1.3 Problems Facing China and its Strategy
wild tigers and their prey animals since 2007.It
has greatly facilitated the public understanding Careful analysis of the major limiting factors facing
and support for the protection of wild tigers the restoration and expansion of the extant wild tiger
from local communities in wild tiger populations and their habitats in China has revealed
distribution areas, with their legitimate rights the following: 1) Wild tigers live in limited and
being safeguarded. fragmented areas where they are isolated from each
1.2.5. China has been continuously enhancing law other and have difficulty in accessing other suitable
enforcement to fight against illegal activities of habitat; 2) Poor habitat quality and a severe
poaching of wild tigers and smuggling and insufficiency in prey resources; 3) Human activities
illegal trading of tiger products including tiger seriously interfere with the activities of wild tigers and
bone and skins, and a number of illegal cases their prey, illegal hunting and snaring still exists,
have been arrested with criminals being directly threatening wild tigers in particular; 4) Severe
punished severely. The efforts have effectively genetic problems are faced by extremely small
resulted in decline of the concerned illegal populations as a result of limited effective breeding
activities. In December of 2009, the State opportunities leading to inbreeding or no breeding
Forestry Administration of China issued yet options whatsoever. Furthermore, the fact that wild
another special notification to require further tigers can harm humans and their domestic livestock,
law enforcement efforts in combating as well as requirements restricting certain activities
smuggling and illegal trade of tiger products, therefore affecting the livelihood of local communities
and strengthening regulation and supervision for the sake of wild tigers protection, will all affect the
of captive bred tigers as well sealed storage of effectiveness and sustainability of conservation
their carcasses and body parts. measures.
1.2.6. China has been vigorously carrying out a series
of public awareness and education campaigns Given the above problems, a comprehensive study
on tiger conservation, which has greatly needs to be conducted over the tigers' distribution
improving public understanding of tiger area to ascertain the current status of the habitat in the
protection. Now, public support has become surrounding areas as well as the local current
important social force for tiger conservation. livelihood. Systematic engineering measures need to
be taken and policy guarantees need to be provided to
1.2.7. Since 1993, China has not approved the sale or promote the expansion and improvement in quality of
use of any tiger bone even for medical purposes, habitat and to reduce interference from human
enduring huge economic losses to fulfill its beings. Field patrolling and law enforcement and
international obligations. It is a tremendous supervision need to be strengthened to fight against
contribution for global tiger conservation. illegal hunting of tigers and other wild animals and to
Meanwhile, China has implemented a permit curb smuggling and illegal operations involving tiger
system for activities concerning captive products. Continuous and systematic scientific
breeding of bred tigers while stringent research and monitoring need to be developed to
requirements in technology, condition, ensure timely understanding of the population
provenance and other categories has been dynamics and evaluation of habitat quality, so as to
applied. Also, for the activities concerning provide a basis for an intensification of efforts to aid
captive breeding of tiger, a series of technical conservation and habitat improvement. Methods
tools including written documents, micro- need to be enhanced for the prevention of damages to
chipping and storage of DNA samples for every humans and domestic stock by wild tigers and a
individuals are adopted to ensure strict compensation system relating to direct losses needs
supervision. improving. Further, a pilot area must be established
1.2.8. China has been paying its highlight to for the re-introduction of South China Tiger in the
international cooperation on tiger conservation initial stage. Based on experience gained thereof and
and has signed bilateral governmental relevant study results, the natural release area will be
protocols with India and Russia. It has also gradually extended to meet the requirements for
conducted a series of collaborative activities in stable and sustainable living of at least 2-3 wild
field survey of wild tiger, information populations of the subspecies.
exchange, personnel training, law enforcement
seminars etc. with other countries and Another crucial item requiring attention is that it is
organizations. Now, the collaborative activities only with the understanding and support of local
have resulted in remarkable achievements.people for wild tiger populations and habitat 3.1 Conservation, extension and
conservation that the objectives of conservation can be amelioration of wild tiger habitats, and trial
assured. But successful conservation requires
reintroduction.
necessary constraints over the methods of production
and the way of life of local people to be put in place. It
Based on systematic research and scientific
is easy to trigger conflicts between conservation
evaluation, measures will be adopted for vegetation
activity and local communities that will directly
rehabilitation, introduction of prey resources and an
hinder sustainable conservation. Therefore, while the
overall ban on hunting in current wild tiger
conservation of wild tigers and their habitat is being
distribution areas as well as their surrounding areas or
strengthened, public education needs to be vigorously
in other adequate areas suitable for future connection
developed, and the needs of economic development
through ecological corridors. The objectives are to
and livelihood improvement for local residents must
achieve maximum expansion of tiger activity range
be taken into account at the same time. Proactive
and a notable improvement in habitat quality, and to
guidance shall be given to change the methods of
achieve genetic exchanges among key isolated
production and ways of living that are incompatible
population groups through restoration and
with sustainable conservation, support shall be given
optimization of the habitat in ecological corridors to
for exploration into new means of local economic
ensure the continuous growth of the wild tiger
development that are favorable to sustainable
population by 2022. In addition, pilot areas will be
conservation. Efforts shall also be made to promote
established at adequate sites for the re-introduction of
the integration of policies concerning the protection of
captive-bred South China Tiger into the wild so that
wild tigers and their habitat with those concerning
monitoring and study of the released individuals can
local economic development and improvements in
be conducted, and preparation can be undertaken for
quality of life, to achieve coordinated and sustainable
gradual expansion of the natural release area as well
development.
as establishment of wild populations of the
subspecies.
2. Strategic Goals?2010-2022?
In order to save and facilitate the growth of wild Action 1: Survey and identify priority areas.
tiger populations of each subspecies in the country,
China will take a series of measures including To identify priority areas for wild tiger conservation
vegetation rehabilitation, establishment of adequate and restoration in this stage based on survey and
ecological corridors between habitats, intensification subsequent evaluation of the current distribution area
of field patrols and monitoring of these conservation and areas planned for extension and natural release.
areas, exploration of tiger re-introduction, and the Main activities in this action consist of:
introduction of adequate methods of economic
development in combination with a national program • To collect information on topography, vegetation,
for protection of natural forest, recovery of farmlands roads and residents in tiger distribution areas and
for forests, nature reserve development, etc. It is the surrounding areas, develop field surveys and
expected to achieve a significant growth of wild tiger evaluate its biotope if necessary, come up with the
populations together with large-scale extension, and extent of habitat and ecological corridors for
quality optimization of wild tigers habitats being future extension, and identify action zones for
achieved by 2022. Under the umbrella, biodiversity of this stage.
the areas shall be also conserved much better and the • To survey, select and identify re-introduction
livelihoods for local people shall be improved with the zones for amoyensis in its historical distribution
manners for their economic development becoming range.
more tiger-friendly under appropriate guidance and
assistance. • To conduct planning for the above zones
following legal procedures in order to prevent
irreversible damages to the biotope caused by
3. Priorities and Actions
inappropriate construction. The plan will be used
China will focus on the following areas to promote
to guide and guarantee the implementation of
population growth of wild tigers in the country based
actions through a sequence of steps and stages.
on population and habitat information, relevant
conservation management, scientific research, law • To establish GIS for action zones of wild tiger
enforcement and supervision currently available. conservation and restoration.Projected outcome: The conservation and Action 3: Trial reintroduction of South China
restoration range will be identified with legal tigers.
guarantees through effective planning, and the
relevant GIS will provide effective data and Establish initial small-scale experimental areas
information to support conservation actions. selected through scientific assessment for the re-
introduction of South China Tiger and ensure that
Action 2: Habitat conservation, extension such areas are conducive to the natural survival and
and optimization for wild Siberian (Amur) reproduction of the re-introduced South China Tiger
tigers. through vegetation revamp, implementation of an
overall ban on hunting, and scientific introduction of
In Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, a series of prey resources. Extend such areas gradually to meet
measures including vegetation restoration and the needs of population growth based on the natural
rehabilitation, overall ban on hunting, necessary and growth of their populations as well as study results.
scientific introduction of prey resources, etc will be
undertaken in the areas with Siberian tigers living in Activities:
currently and their future potential range areas and in • To study and draft technical and management
the corridor areas. It shall result in habitat extension guideline for the re-establishment and
and quality optimization and increase in prey density management of trial habitats for reintroduction of
to satisfy the needs of population growth of Siberian South China tiger, and work out the detailed
tigers. implementation plans to designate the trial areas.
• To undertake recovery of farmland for forests,
Main activities: change inappropriate forests and vegetations,
• To study and draft technical guidance of habitat maintain necessary grasslands, and reintroduce
restoration for wild population of Siberian tigers. prey resources etc. in accordance with the
• To implement an overall ban on hunting in guideline and implementation plan so as to
currently existing range areas of wild Siberian prepare suitable habitats for the natural survival
tigers and their surrounding areas and ecological and reproduction of reintroduced South China
corridors; study and draft habitat restoration tigers.
plans by region and by category. • To develop continuous monitoring and scientific
• To select, in different vegetation areas, one to two assessment of the reintroduced South China tiger
locations, for a pilot demonstration of habitat population and its habitat, identify and analyze
restoration through recovery farmland to forest, problems and establish a working direction for
change of inappropriate forests and vegetation, next steps.
maintaining necessary grasslands and • To gradually extend the range of the trial areas to
introduction of prey resources according to meet the natural growth needs of the
scientific guidelines. reintroduced South China t i g e r p o p u l a t i o n s
• To extend habitat progressively in project areas based on scientific assessment.
based on the successful pilot studies and Projected outcome: the natural survival,
demonstrations in habitat restoration. reproduction and sustainable development of
• To explore the necessity and feasibility of reintroduced South China tiger population shall
reintroducing captive-bred Siberian tigers into be achieved, and the biodiversity in this zone will
the wild. be effectively protected and managed, further
optimizing biodiversity of this habitat.
Projected outcome: Action 4: Habitat conservation, extension
Adequate zones for Siberian tigers will be extended, and optimization for Wild Indo-Chinese
the density of prey resources will be increased, and tigers.
fragmented habitat will be improved, therefore better
satisfying the needs of a growing population of In Yunnan province, to achieve large scale extension
Siberian tigers, and promoting effective genetic and quality optimization of the habitats for wild Into-
exchanges among isolated species and populations. Chinese tigers in priority areas including current
distribution areas, their surrounding areas andecological corridors through changing inappropriate identified project areas including current
forests and vegetation, overall ban on hunting and distribution range, the surrounding areas and
necessary and scientific introduction of prey ecological corridors of the tigers; study and draft
resources which will increase prey density etc.. It is habitat restoration plans by region and by
expected to improve the capacity of the areas for the category.
growth of the wild population of the subspecies. • To select, in different vegetation areas, one to two
locations, for pilot demonstrations of habitat
Activities: restoration through farmland recovery to forests,
• To study and draft technical guidance of habitat inappropriate forests and vegetation revamping,
restoration and management for wild Indo- necessary grass cover maintenance and scientific
Chinese tigers. introduction of prey resources.
• To implement an overall ban on hunting in • To extend habitat amelioration progressively in
identified project areas including current project areas based on the successful pilot
distribution zones, the surrounding areas and demonstrations.
ecological corridors of the tigers, study and draft Projected outcome: suitable habitat areas for wild
habitat restoration plans by region and by Bengal tigers will be extended and in good
category. linkage, density of prey resources increased to
• To select, in different vegetation areas, one to two better satisfy the needs of a growing population
locations, for pilot demonstrations of habitat of wild Bengal tigers.
restoration through f a r m l a n d r e t u r n i n g t o
forestry, monoculture forestry rehabilitation, 3.2 Capacity building of conservation and
adequate grass cover maintenance in forested monitoring units of wild tiger population
land and scientific introduction of prey resources. and their habitats.
• To extend habitat recovery progressively in
project areas based on successful pilot studies and Efforts to strengthen the conservation and monitoring
demonstrations. of tigers' population and habitat in wild tiger activity
• To explore the necessity and feasibility of areas shall be made in the following aspects: intensify
releasing captive-bred Indo-Chinese tigers into capacity building in management agencies in nature
the wild. reserves and relevant conservation and monitoring
agencies; improve infrastructure and replenish
Projected outcome: the areas suitable for wild
equipment; develop staff training with advanced
Indo-Chinese tigers will be extended, the density
technology; enhance quality of conservation and
of prey resources increased, and fragmented
management staff; set up and perfect rules and
habitat improved, to better satisfy the needs of a
regulations; and further promote standardized field
growing population of the wild individuals.
patrol and monitoring. All these efforts are in line with
the objective of ensuring the implementation of an
Action 5: Habitat conservation, extension overall ban on hunting to effectively prevent poaching
and optimization for Bengal tigers. and other human behaviors damaging tiger habitat,
and to understand the population dynamics and
In Xizang, the future efforts will focus on quality habitat variation on timely basis in order to provide a
improvement of the habitats and enhancement of scientific basis for an evaluation of conservation
patrolling and monitoring in the areas. When effectiveness and decision making for relevant
necessary, ecological corridors should be established conservation policies. The scope of Natural Reserves
and necessary vegetation restoration and will be adjusted and a series of newly established
introduction of prey resources should be undertaken conservation monitoring stations will be added in
scientifically to increase prey density to meet needs of conservation 'blind zones' to achieve effective overall
a growing population of the tigers. conservation measures and monitoring in wild tiger
activity areas.
Activities:
• To study and draft technical guidance for habitats Action 6: Increase conservation and
restoration and management of wild Bengal monitoring stations in range areas of wild
tigers. tiger populations.
• To implement an overall ban on hunting in
Study the distribution of existing conservation andmonitoring stations in priority areas for wild tiger • To study and draft conservation monitoring
conservation and restoration, add conservation and guidelines for wild tiger populations and its
monitoring stations in blank areas, identify the area of habitat to aid monitoringagencies in monitoring
responsibility, establish a coordination system, and process according to a uniform plan.
achieve overall conservation and monitoring in the • To organize professional training for monitoring
priority areas. staff.
• To set up coordination mechanisms among
Activities: monitoring agencies through the establishment of
• To study and analyze the institutional regulations and systems, such as meeting
arrangement in existing monitoring agencies systems, information notification systems, and
involved in wild tiger conservation and action joint action systems so as to ensure an
zones, and identify blind zones in conservation overall and coordinated development on
monitoring. monitoring wild tiger populations and their
• To add new conservation monitoring agencies in habitat, anti-poaching, and j o i n t c o m m u n i t y
blind zones. management.
• To adjust the scope of the existing natural reserves • To assess conservation management results
based on actual situation and scientific regularly to improve target-oriented monitoring
assessment & according to legal procedures when measures and enhance efficiency.
necessary. Projected outcome: a more standardized and a
• To divide areas of responsibility in wild tiger more effective development of conservation
conservation and action zones, to identify areas of monitoring of wild tiger populations and their
responsibility for each conservation monitoring habitat, a more timely and accurate
agency to ensure that all action areas are covered. understanding of the tigers' population and
habitat dynamics, and more effective measures to
Projected outcome: achieve overall
stop anti-poaching and habitat destruction
improvements in conservation policy outcomes
behavior.
through monitoring in all wild tiger conservation
and restoration action areas, with clearly defined
responsibilities for each area. 3.3 Coordination of wild tiger conservation
with local society and economic
Action 7: Capacity improvement for development.
conservation and monitoring of wild tiger
In order to obtain their understanding and support,
populations and their habitats.
close attention must be paid to the needs of local
communities concerning social and economic
Enhance the capacity of conservation monitoring
development and to guide them in a way compatible
agencies in the dynamic monitoring of wild tiger
with wild tiger protection. In this regard, the key
populations and habitat, in anti-poaching and
activities to be developed are: First, set up special
coordination with local residents through perfecting
funds for compensation of damages to humans,
regulations and systems, in improving facilities and
animals and crops caused by wild tigers so as to
equipment, and in increasing staff numbers and
recognize the legal rights and interests of the local
intensifying staff training.
residents. Second, strengthen awareness campaigns
to enhance awareness of tiger protection among local
Main activities: residents and disseminate risk-prevention knowledge
• To allocate working staff and expand by guiding them to develop ways of production and
conservation monitoring management teams living conducive to tiger conservation. This can be
based on scope of responsibilities achieved by means of establishing poster boards,
and degrees of difficulties of assignment. signboards, information booklets and community
• To improve working facilities in monitoring education dissemination campaigns. Third, to
agencies, providing necessary equipment or effectively prevent and reduce damages to humans,
renewing existing e q u i p m e n t a v a i l a b l e t o animals and crops caused by tigers and their prey by
working staff and make every attempt to placing scattered households in a more concentrated
introduce high-tech equipment for conservation development, and by building fences and isolation
monitoring. ditches in areas frequently experiencing conflict withtigers and their prey. Fourth, study and explore the • To popularize personal safety and conflict-
ways of livelihood and methods of production prevention knowledge through desploying
favorable to wild tiger and its habitat conservation, warning signs, distributing education booklets
and extend such approaches through a system of and developing awareness and educational
pilots and demonstrations, micro-subsidies, technical activities.
guidance, and establishment of special funds so as to • To reduce the interference of human activities
promote harmony of coordinated and sustainable with those of wild tigers, their prey and habitat
development of local societies and economies with through the gradual concentration of settlements,
tiger conservation. replacing scattered households situated in areas
with frequent tiger activity or in key e c o l o g i c a l
Action 8: Compensation for the injury to corridors.
human and property losses caused by wild • To take active prevention measures to avoid tiger
tigers and their prey. attacks on people and livestock in more populated
areas through establishing fences and isolation
Through the establishment of earmarked funds, clear belts etc.
standards and procedures of compensation, • To guide local residents to change their habit
strengthened supervision and inspections to ensure activities of raising free-range poultry and
that the damages to humans, livestock and crops of domestic animals in theforests to avoid tigers
local residents caused by tigers and their prey are attack at most level.
rationally compensated, their legal rights and
Projected outcome: incidents of damage caused to
interests are suitably safeguarded, and human-tiger
humans and livestock by tigers and their prey will
conflicts are alleviated.
gradually decrease, losses reduced, interference
of human activities with wild tigers, their prey
Main activities: and habitat alleviated progressively.
• for compensation of losses to humans, livestock
and crops caused by tigers and their prey, study Action 10: Demonstrate economic
and draft criteria andprocedures for receiving
development models favorable to wild
compensation to ensure that local residents can
successfully claim for any relevant losses
tiger conservation based successful pilot
they suffer. trials.
• To establish special funds, study and draft
Survey, study and evaluate the methods of
utilization management and supervision
production and livelihood favorable to tiger
methods of the funds, thus ensuring that relevant
conservation; extend such models step by step;
compensations are cashed on time.
provide guidance for coordinated and sustainable
• To regular and irregular checking over the use of development of local community economies in
funds, survey local residents over their attitudes harmony with the tiger and its habitat conservation
towardscompensation. through pilot schemes and demonstration; and
Projected outcome: strive to obtain the public's obtain wider understanding, support and
basic satisfaction over compensation schemes, participation of local communities in conservation.
maintain their understanding of and support for
tiger conservation, prevent any mood shift of local Activities:
residents unfavorable to tiger conservation.
• To conduct systematic surveys on methods of
production and livelihood in local communities;
Action 9: Active prevention of injury to assess impacts ofvarious methods of production
humans and property losses from tigers and and livelihood on tigers, their preys and habitat;
their prey. identify those economic behaviorsincompatible
with conservation that need to be altered.
Popularize personal safety knowledge among local • To study, with the cooperation of local
residents; guide them in changing inappropriate communities, alternatives to current methods of
behaviors and habitats through relocation of scattered economic development unfavorable to tiger
households and establishment of prevention facilities conservation; to encourage sections of the local
so as to reduce frequency of loss to humans, livestock population to adopt pilot schemes and initiatives
and crops caused by tigers and their prey. through micro-subsidies and technical guidance
based on scientific assessment.• To conduct timely evaluations of economic criminal activities such as smuggling and illegal
benefits and conservation effectiveness of the operations involving tiger products. The public can, in
pilot schemes and gradually extend economic this manner, play a pro-active role in law enforcement
development alternatives that are effective, on wildlife protection, thereby increasing the strength
marketable and favorable to tigerc o n s e r v a t i o n and effectiveness with which law enforcement can
through a combination of demonstrations and function.
subsidies.
• To integrate a supporting reward and Action 11: Strengthen capacity building in
punishment system with methods conducive to enforcement agencies.
the elimination of behaviors unfavorable to tiger
conservation; and achieve the coordinated and Collect information on poaching, smuggling and
sustainable development of tiger conservation illegal trade of tiger products through various
and livelihood improvement of local residents. channels; identify key areas, key ports, border areas,
Projected outcome: the original methods of marketing and distribution centers; strengthen the
economic development practiced by local training of law enforcement agency staff of the above
residents unfavorable to wild tigers conservation mentioned authorities; replenish enforcement
will be progressively altered; the economic equipment and detection devices; improve the
activities favorable to conservation will gradually enforcement system so as to enhance enforcement
be extended; both improvements in conservation effectiveness and curb illegal activities.
and in the livelihood of local residents are
achieved; the willingness of the local residents to Activities:
aid conservation will be further strengthened and • To determine through in-depth analysis the key
local residents will become a major social force in areas, key ports, border areas, markets, collection
the conservation of wild tigers. and distributionsites for smuggling and illegal
trade of tiger products through collecting
3.4 Enhancement of law enforcement information reported by public; and conduct
against poaching, smuggling and illegal active surveys and analysis of the market to assess
trade of tiger products trend and directions in smuggled products.
• To increase the collection of anti-smuggling
In order to effectively curb poaching of tiger preys, intelligence, and deploy control mechanisms to
smuggling and illegal trade of tiger products, law avert risks, to improve the capacity to investigate
enforcement investigation, hotlines for public and to solve smuggling cases involving tiger
reporting illegal activities and international products. Crack down severely on criminal
information exchanges must be adopted. This will gangs smuggling tiger products through
provide a better understanding of the situation in key investigation methods such as detailed
areas, key ports, border areas, markets and collection surveillance of the delivery chains of
and distribution sites which are prone to smuggling illegal tiger products, from the source of the
and illegal sales of tiger products. For regional law poaching to the end buyer.
enforcement agencies, efforts will be made to • To coordinate law enforcement agencies to
strengthen staff training and replenish equipment and replenish and improve target-oriented
detection devices so as to improve mechanisms that equipment and detection devices in their agencies
ensure more effective field patrols, creation of in the areas mentioned above.
responsibility systems and vigorous law enforcement.
•To strengthen staff training and conduct law
All these will aid the effectiveness with which these
enforcement seminars in the above mentioned
law agencies can operate. Based on local
enforcement agencies to promote their awareness
circumstances, ad hoc joint inspections by law
of responsibility on law enforcement as well as
enforcement agencies and special crack-down
improve professional capacity.
operations will be conducted to implement a powerful
policy of shock and awe. Besides this, a wide-ranging • To establish an effective coordination mechanism
awareness and educational campaign will be to form joint forces of enforcement through the
developed to guide the public on voluntary resistance formulation of a patrol system, information
to illegal operations involving tiger products. A public notification system, joint conference system and
reporting hotline will be established to encourage the accountability system etc.
public in the timely reporting of information on • In areas where the situation is critical, multi-
agency joint enforcement inspections and specialcrack-downs will be conducted; results of the resistance to illegal operations involving tiger
investigation and treatment of illegal cases will be products and the use of such tiger products. The
published in timely manner to form a public will be more cooperative in reporting any
strong campaign of shock and awe which will illegal activities.
effectively curb criminal activities such as
smuggling and illegal operations involving tiger 3.5 Extension of international cooperation
products. and exchange on tiger conservation
Projected outcome: enforcement capacity against
smuggling and illegal operations involving tiger A common understanding amongst tiger countries
products will be strengthened; enforcement and international societies relating to tiger protection
effectiveness will be increased with efficient has been formed, and exchanges in knowledge and
curbing of the momentum on smuggling and resources have strengthened the global campaign to
illegal operations involving tiger products. save all wild tigers. The key for next step is to
transform this common understanding formed
Action 12: Wide-spread media and amongst all sides into direct and joint action,
education campaigns on tiger conservation. especially in certain crucial areas, which are needed
among the relevant international parties. China will
Further raise public awareness of tiger conservation proactively promote the mechanisms for coordination
through newspapers and magazines, radio and TV and cooperation among conservation management
broadcasting as well as special topic media agencies and law enforcement units on both sides of
campaigns; popularize laws and regulations on its border, allowing rapid and effective information
conservation; advocate public on voluntary resistance exchange, striving for joint monitoring activities in
towards smuggling and operations involving illegal tiger range border areas and improving law
tiger products; and advocate active reporting by enforcement effectiveness in border trading zones
members of the public on illegal activities to provide and ports through rapid exchange of law enforcement
strong support for conservation law enforcement. information; Communication and information
exchange with concerned organizations including
Activities: WCO, CITES, and Interpol should be strengthened.
Various ways including international seminars,
• To explain to the public the damage inflicted upon training courses and friend nature reserves etc. will be
wild tiger populations as a result of smuggling also adopted to increase exchange of wild tiger
and illegal operations involving tiger products; to conservation expertise and technology accumulated
publicize related rules and regulations to from respective experiences in order to improve
strengthen the public's awareness of conservation conservation and management on all sides.
through newspapers, magazines, radio and TV
broadcasting.
Action 13: Improve mechanisms for more
• To conduct target-oriented awareness and effective international cooperation on tiger
educational campaigns through deploying
information boards, warning s i g n s a n d t h e
conservation
organization of special topic awareness
Promote the implementation of more effective
campaigns in key ports, border areas, markets,
international cooperation mechanisms based on
collection and distribution sites thus encouraging
current international cooperation framework for wild
the public to take the initiative in giving up illegal
tiger conservation, so as to achieve more effective
activities such as the purchase of tiger products.
exchanges of technical experience, information
• To establish reporting phone lines; set up a sharing and coordinated action.
reward and punishment system; and encourage Activities:
the public to report on illegal activities.
• To strengthen communications between tiger
• To widely disseminate information from countries through international seminars and
important cases to facilitate the public mutual visits; to understand the concerns from
understanding of the legal consequences of illegal different parties, exchange and share technology
activities, so as to achieve a more complete public and experiences in tiger conservation, in anti-
education. smuggling and anti-illegal trade operations
Projected outcome: public awareness will be involving tiger projects; and analyze issues
significantly raised, encouraging volunteered facing global wild tiger conservation and explore
the directions in which joint efforts must move.• To promote the establishment of information 4.1.2 A conservation network has been established
exchanges between and cooperation amongst consisting of natural reserves and grass-roots
grass-roots conservation agencies in tiger conservation management stations in wild
distribution areas in border zones. tiger distribution areas. Programs such as
• To promote the exchange of information and natural forestry conservation and farmland
cooperation among grass-roots law enforcement returning to forestry are implemented; nature
agencies in border areas and ports. reserves have been established and wildlife
conservation measures such as the restoration
• To strengthen communication and information
of prey populations, compensation for injuries
exchange with concerned international
and damages to humans, domestic animals and
organizations including W C O , C I T E S , a n d
crops, strengthened patrol in tiger habitat and
Interpol etc. to help and guide actual law
capacity building etc. have been taken. All
enforcement actions, and to improve capacity of
these efforts have led to obvious achievements
local law enforcement units by introduction of
in wild tiger habitat optimization and
advanced technologies and experience through
population growth.
the channels.
Projected outcome: achieve a multi-level, multi- 4.1.3 Multiple-department, multiple-level and
format system for international information multiple-link wildlife law enforcement system
exchange and cooperation on wild tiger and coordination mechanisms are already
conservation, deepen mutual understanding and established in China consisting of departments
support amongst tiger range countries so as to such as forestry, public security, industry &
enhance conservation effectiveness together. commerce administrations and customs etc.
Capacity building is continuously
4. Policy Framework strengthened through the replenishment of
equipment, information exchanges, staff
training and improvement of established
4.1 Existing Policies systems. Tiger related cases are listed as
priority enforcement areas, and regular &
4.1.1 Years of efforts have led to the establishment of irregular inspections as well as special actions
relevant laws and regulatory frameworks for are developed playing an active role in
tiger conservation management in China. All investigations into and the treatment of
tigers are under national key protection at first smuggling and illegal operations involving
class - which not only clearly specifies the tiger products.
conservation of their habitat and natural
4.1.4 Chinese law explicitly requires: "when
reserves, but also clearly states that all activities
construction projects impact adversely on the
relating to the hunting, domestication and
environment of animals under state or local key
reproduction of tigers without permit, the sale,
protection regulations, the construction
procurement, transportation, and smuggling of operator must submit environmental impact
tigers and tiger products, are criminal. Those studies. The environmental protection
engaged in poaching, the illegal killing or agencies shall obtain comments from wildlife
illegal purchase, sale or transportation of tigers management departments of comparable
and tiger products, will be sentenced to no less administration levels during approval
than 10 years imprisonment in addition to fines process." This provides a regulatory guarantee
and the confiscation of personal property. against unsuitable construction projects in the
Those serious activities engaged in smuggling distribution areas of wild tigers.
tiger products can receive a sentence of
4.1.5 Captive breeding of tigers is under strict
imprisonment for life, and their personal
supervision in China. A Permit system is in
property will be confiscated. Further, given the operation for the domestication and
status of global population of both wild tigers reproduction of tigers. A permit holder is
and captive-bred bred tigers, the State Council required to establish and maintain strict
of China issued general orders in 1993 to fully management archives and a family tree system
ban the use of tiger bones in medicine or trade. for each individual tiger. Particularly since
This is a huge contribution to global wild tiger 2007, microchip, gene samples and
conservation. management information systems that can be
searched via the internet have been adopted inChina, and the supervision of captive breeding conservation and natural reserves, public security
agencies and individual tigers can be achieved authorities, industry and commerce agencies,
through MIS. customs bureaus, financial departments, local
communities, traditional industries such as
4.2 Improvement Needed for Wild Tiger traditional Chinese medicine, research institutes, non-
governmental conservation organizations, financial
Protection Policy
aid organizations, judicial organs, and media, etc.
To enhance conservation of wild tigers and their
habitat, China needs to improve its current policy of 7. Program Indicators
wild tiger conservation in the following aspects: 1)
any conservation plan for wild tigers and their habitat The following indicators will be employed to evaluate
needs to be examined and approved according to legal the outcomes:
procedures before becoming legally binding; 2) the
systems relating to conservation management of wild The change in wild tiger population numbers, the
tigers need to be further improved at the grass root expansion of tiger activity areas, variance of biotope
level in the following aspects: field patrols, found in the habitat, change in prey density, an
monitoring and evaluation, accountability and inter- increased occurrence of prosecution in cases
departmental coordination; 3) the following need to involving law breaking relating to tigers or their
be further elaborated and clarified to better combat habitat, improvements in the livelihood of local
smuggling and illegal operations involving tiger residents, establishment of monitoring stations and
products: a market patrol system, an accountability staffing for conservation management, and a change
system, a public reporting reward system, an inter- in threatening factors.
departmental coordination and joint action system For the different priorities, different indicators will be
etc. employed to evaluate their results from the actions.
5. Capacity constraints 7.1 Conservation, extension and
amelioration of wild tiger habitats
China is a developing country, thus a lot of constraints
in tiger conservation and the capacity to fight Evaluation indicators include: the number of GIS in
smuggling and illegal operations involving tiger wild tiger habitats, a change in wild tiger numbers,
products exist due to a previous long-term expansion of tiger activity boundaries, status of
insufficiency in investment. The constraints mainly habitat rehabilitation demonstrations, change in prey
include: density, tiger activities in ecological corridors, etc.
• Limited application of advanced technology: the
primary methods hereto used for field patrol and 7.2 Capacity building of conservation and
monitoring in most of the areas, as well as monitoring units of wild tiger populations
equipment and facilities are still, at best, and their habitats.
primitive.
• Poor conservation management: technical Evaluation indicators include: number of monitoring
guidance or working manuals for standardized stations and range of their responsibilities, number of
patrol and monitoring are not even supplied in working staff, improvements in equipment and
many places. facilities, formulation and renewal of technical
guidance and management manuals and relevant
• Understaffing and poor quality of staff is
systems of patrol and monitoring, number and
relatively common.
effectiveness of field patrols and monitoring, rate of
• Severe shortages in support capacity to guide occurrence of tiger-related criminal cases, and capture
local communities to change their means of of illegal snares, etc.
production and livelihood unfavorable to
conservation.
7.3 Coordination of wild tiger
conservation with local society and
6. Stakeholders economic development.
The stakeholders mainly include: central to local
Evaluation indicators include: injuries to humans and
management authorities in charge of wildlife & plantdomestic animals by wild tigers and their prey, crop 7.5 Extension of international cooperation
losses, frequency of compensation distribution and and exchange on tiger conservation
amounts awarded, number of warning and awareness
sign boards as well as the rationality of their locations, Evaluation indicators consist: the number of
deployment of preventive measures against damages additional and/or renewed agreements or
to humans, domestic stock and crops from tigers and memorandums on international cooperation at all
their prey, understanding and application of personal levels, the number of meetings, training sessions,
safety knowledge among local residents, number of mutual visits and participants at all levels,
pilots and demonstrations applying methods of information exchange via different channels, the
economic development favorable to tiger application and outcome of advanced international
conservation, as well as annual income increases in technology or management experiences, and etc.
pilot and demonstration households, a numerical
increase of such demonstration households, an
8. Budget and Funding Sources
increased amount of supporting funds made
available, a reduction of economic behavior
To ensure the implementation of the Actions
unfavorable to tiger conservation, and etc.
mentioned above, huge amounts of funds are needed.
A specific budget needs to be calculated according to
7.4 Enhancement of law enforcement the planning done in the different distribution areas of
against smuggling and illegal trade of tiger wild tigers.
products
Funds will be raised through the following channels
Evaluation indicators include: the number of agencies based on the need for conservation actions:
and staff in key enforcement areas, an improvement in • China central government and local government
equipment and facilities, the formulation and renewal will provide necessary investment in combination
of different systems, the volume of training given to with national programs for protection of natural
professional staff, records of market patrols and case forests and wildlife conservation & nature reserve
investigations and treatment, the establishment of development during the e c o l o g i c a l c o n
crime reporting hotlines and volume of reports, the construction of "12th five-year plan".
investigation and treatment of reported cases, the
• Potential domestic and foreign financial aid.
number of joint inspections and special actions, the
number of discovered illegal cases and their relevant
treatment, etc.You can also read
