April 20, 2007
Put a tiger in your tank
China has come under fire for allowing tigers to be bred for the production of so-called "tiger bone wine".From the BBC. The article also notes:The drink is reportedly made by steeping tiger carcasses in rice wine. Those who drink the wine believe it makes them strong. . .
The argument centres on the existence of so-called "tiger farms" in China, which have bred thousands of captive tigers with the ostensible purpose of entertaining visitors.
But the conservation group WWF, which is chairing the symposium, says these farms are fronts for the production of tiger bone wine.
On Wednesday, a more formal forum of government delegations will begin discussing the fate of the majestic beast, which a recent television poll declared to be the world's most popular animal."Popular" in what sense?
Posted by David on April 20, 2007 9:55 AM
Actually I would argue that the WWF is defeating its own purpose in this case: Animals bred for domestic consumption are seldom in danger of going extinct. Note, for example, that neither cows nor domestic pigs have ever been on the Most Endangered Species List.
Posted by: Small Pink Mouse on April 22, 2007 7:42 PM
However, there's a huge difference between domesticated animals and wildlife. You won't find the common cow and pig anywhere without them being tended by humans.
Posted by: odin on April 25, 2007 12:09 AM
cronaca.com