Criticisms to SCT
Over the years, Save China's Tigers has been criticized for its various efforts to save the South China Tiger from extinction. Here are some of the recorded criticism.
Sue Lieberman, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
(Article: Fashioning Conservation, The Scientist, October 2007)
Quan's decision to re-wild the tigers in South Africa proves that there is simply no room for them in China's disappearing wilderness, adds Sue Lieberman, director of WWF's Global Species Programme. "We can save the tiger, but we shouldn't put our efforts into the South China tiger."
Judy Mills, International Tiger Collision; Save the Tiger Fund
(Article: Can the Wild Tiger Survive? Science Journal, Sept 6 2007)
Many tiger-conservation organizations remain highly critical of the plan. “It’s a waste of time and money and not beneficial to the species,” says Mills of the International Tiger Coalition. “It could even be dangerous, since there are questions about the genetic integrity of the captive cats,” meaning that many captive tigers are hybrids of two or more subspecies. “It’s better to put all our efforts into tigers that already exist in the wild.”
Sue Lieberman, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
(Article: Failure stalks controversial bid to breed 'virtually extinct' tigers, Sunday Telegraph, Jan 28, 2007)
"Functionally, the South China tiger is virtually extinct," said Sue Lieberman, the director of the Global Species Programme at the animal conservation group, WWF International. "This isn't going to bring it back. And it's tremendous expenditure when there are so many other priorities for tiger conservation in China."
Gus Mills, Research Fellow: SAN Parks / Head Carnivore Conservation Group: EWT
(Issued press release on behalf of five organization on 14th November 2003)
"Saving" the South China Tiger and the release of tigers into the wild in South Africa; an alternative viewpoint from prominent South African and international conservation organisations.
The South China tiger is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is thought that there might be some individuals surviving in the wild, although not forming a viable population with a long-term future. There are about 50 tigers in captivity in China, raised from a very small founder group. A UK-based NGO, "Save China's Tigers"; recently transferred two captive born South China tiger cubs to the National Zoo in Pretoria with the object of breeding and raising cubs and training them to take wild prey, so that they can be returned to China for release in the wild. After being in quarantine for a few weeks they have been moved to Mokopani, a zoo property north of Pretoria, where they will start their "rewilding" project. It is planned that the cubs will spend the first few months in a two hectare camp before moving to a 20 hectare camp. When they have grown and are able to hunt bigger game, the plan is to move them to a 500 hectare camp. The eventual aim for the South African component of the project, as stated on Save China's Tigers webpage (http://www.savechinastigers.net), and recently reiterated in a press statement, will be the release of the tigers into a 300 square kilometre area that has been secured by Save China`s Tigers in the Free State, although presently there is a dispute over this land between them and the Varty`s, who also plan to release tigers into the area.
The IUCN`s Cat Specialist Group (Cat SG) and Reintroduction Specialist Group, consisting of international scientists and wildlife managers, have raised a number of concerns regarding this project that have been ignored by the parties involved. Leading conservation organisations in South, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, WWF-SA and the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA and senior scientists from SAN Parks, endorse these concerns.
Firstly, the Cat SG believes that a general conservation strategy for all tigers in China should be the priority, before the implementation of activities such as the ones mentioned above. They supported a proposal by the Director of the Wildlife Division of China's State Forestry Administration to organise a workshop of all interested experts to discuss the different areas of co-operation with the Chinese Government's Tiger Project and to set priorities. This has not happened and the Chinese authorities have never responded to the Cat SGs concerns and proposals.
Secondly, the Cat SG considers that a programme to prepare South China tigers for reintroduction to the wild would be best carried out in their natural habitat in China, and in accordance with the guidelines established by the IUCN Reintroduction Specialist Group. Experience with reintroduction of many species has shown that there are considerable risks of failure, and familiarity with habitat and prey will be an important factor in ensuring the restoration of the South China tiger. Restoration of a substantial area of forest habitat is first required in China before considering the release of the tigers. To go to the considerable expense and risk of failure by bringing the animals into a totally different environment and habituating them to different prey is highly questionable. South African expertise could, if necessary, be taken to China to empower and build capacity in the tiger`s home country. However, what can a human trainer teach a tiger about hunting, with its evolutionary past embedded in its genes, even one born and raised in captivity?
Thirdly, the Cat SG points out that the small captive population of South China tigers, which is confined to China, is extremely inbred and suffers a loss of genetic diversity. Removing some individuals at this time could result in further deterioration and greater risk of inbreeding depression, which could jeopardise successful restoration of a viable wild population. An existing master plan for the management of the captive population exists; it should be updated and implemented before selecting animals for a training and reintroduction programme. This too, as far as we are aware, has not been done, nor is it clear how the particular individuals chosen to come to South Africa were selected.
Finally, and most concerning, are the plans to release the tigers into the 300 square kilometre area in the Free State, which would effectively make them free-ranging and in direct competition with our own indigenous animals. We are equally opposed to the alternative plan by the Varty`s to do a similar thing. Not only do we believe this to be against the Biodiversity Bill, it is also in flagrant opposition to IUCN principles for the release of exotic organisms. Furthermore, there may by serious health risks to the introduction of tigers, particularly with regard to host/parasite dynamics. For example, we can't predict what African FIV, which is harmless in indigenous African cats, will do in Chinese tigers. The reverse might apply to an exotic parasite introduced from the tigers into an endemic African host species.
In her speech at the ceremony to mark the arrival of the tigers at the National Zoo, Li Quan, the founder of Save China`s Tigers said "I would like to thank the conservation fraternity of South Africa at different governmental and non governmental levels for extending their helpful hands"..."together we have now built one of the top conservation teams not only in this country, but indeed throughout the world, and I am extremely proud to be part of it. Without the strong belief in the project by the South African conservation community, today would not have been possible"; She also referred to what she called "unjustified, malicious, and very public opposition"; to the project.
We would like to put this in perspective by stating that together with the IUCN`s Cat Specialist Group and the IUCN Reintroduction Specialist Group, three prominent conservation NGO`s in South Africa and scientists in SANParks have reservations about many aspects of the project. They do not think that it is the most effective plan for the conservation of the tiger in China. We further submit that the release of free ranging tigers in South Africa is not in the best interests of biodiversity conservation in South Africa. This opposition is neither unjustified nor malicious, although we would like to make it very public.
Dr Rob Little, WF-SA Positioning Statement: South China Tiger South African Project
( April 2005 )
WWF-SA supports efforts to increase populations of species listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red Lists of Threatened Species. In the case of the South China Tiger South African Project, which entails plans to release tigers into a South African protected area for “rewilding” and breeding, WWF-SA shares concerns raised by the IUCN’s Cat Specialist Group (Cat SG) and Reintroduction Specialist Group.
Accordingly it is not convinced that the release of free ranging tigers in South Africa is in the best interests of biodiversity conservation.
WWF-SA believes that:
- The practical and scientific implications of the relocation need to take precedence over emotional issues with regard to the “rewilding” of non-indigenous animals in a free ranging environment in South Africa.
- More expert opinion is needed. Specifically that all interested experts discuss the different areas of co-operation with the Chinese Government’s Tiger Project to set priorities, in line with proposals by the Director of the Wildlife Division of China’s State Forestry Administration.
- There is considerable risk of failure in bringing animals into a totally different environment and habituating them to different prey. Rather that the reintroduction of tigers to the wild would be best carried out in their natural habitat in China, in accordance with guidelines of the IUCN Reintroduction Specialist Group.
- The removal of individuals from the small inbred captive population of South China tigers could result in further deterioration and greater risk of inbreeding depression, which could jeopardise successful restoration of a viable wild population.
- The direct causes of tiger decline in China should be addressed, including habitat loss and poaching of tigers for medicinal use.
- Relocating tigers into a 300 square kilometre are in the Free State will place them in direct competition with indigenous animals, which is not only against the spirit of the Biodiversity Bill, but is in contravention of IUCN principles for the release of exotic organisms.
- Pathogen and parasite risks associated with the introduction of tigers, namely with regard to host / parasite dynamics be carefully examined and considered.
Sarel van der Merwe: African Large Predator Research Unit at the University of the Free State
(Article: Tigers to roam Africa's plains, Cape Argus, November 5, 2004)
Another conservationist sharing his concerns is Sarel van der Merwe, co-manager of the African Large Predator Research Unit at the University of the Free State.
"It would be much wiser for them to prepare a natural habitat for them in their home range in south China. Were true tiger experts consulted?"
Luke Hunter
(Article: Africa Geographic June 2003)
Dr Luke Hunter, the carnivore representative on the Reintroduction Specialist Group (RSG) and a member of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, believes these projects are misguided for a number of reasons. 'They will not help to conserve the South China tiger in its range,' he says. 'That is the primary reason why the IUCN and the credible carnivore conservation community are opposed to these proposals. Resources and expertise are being directed away from China towards South Africa. Tigers are not African.'
Another objection is that the dry environment of the Free State is unsuitable. Says Dr Hunter, 'No tigers live in anything like this habitat. Throughout its range the tiger is a forest-dwelling species, from Russian temperate forests to tropical Asian forests.'
He also does not back the notion that the project should be undertaken outside China because within the country it is not viable on account of poaching, habitat encroachment and lack of expertise. 'What is the point of pursuing this idea if not to re-establish the South China tiger in its original range? One of our main arguments has always been that the necessary resources should be invested in China to address the country's conservation problems. The RSG and the IUCN are very interested in promoting this and working with all parties to achieve it. This is the only way to give the project a reasonable chance of success. The considerable resources being sunk into South Africa are misdirected.'
Gus Mills
(Article: Africa Geographic June 2003)
Dr Gus Mills, the Specialist Carnivore Scientist at the Kruger National Park and for the Carnivore Conservation Group, is another who opposes the tiger-breeding project. 'I do not think it is prudent to bring tigers into a semi-arid environment and attempt to train them to hunt prey species that are so different from those they will encounter in China. The resources will be better used doing this in China,' he maintains.
And then there is the question of space. 'Is it conceivable that a large enough area will ever become available in China to ensure the protection of a viable tiger population?' asks Dr Mills. 'If so, that needs to be sorted out first. Otherwise, your funds and resources are being totally wasted.' Talking of funds, he believes that whoever is prepared to invest money and time in rehabilitating land in the Free State should be doing it 'to promote the conservation and biodiversity of the Free State. Why not turn these into African ecosystem reserves?' Dr Mills is also of the opinion that a workshop for everyone involved in tiger conservation should be held.
Judy Mills, Conservation International
(Article: Out of Africa –Into Uncertainty, Wall Street Journal, Sept 4 2003)
"I can't think of anybody in the world of conservation who would tell you this is a good idea," says Judy Mills from the United States-based Conservation International, who has focused on saving tigers for nearly 20 years. "This is not science. It's not conservation. It could be a major biological disaster for Africa." Some days, you just can't save an endangered species.
Judy Mills, Conservation International
(Article: Out of Africa –Into Uncertainty, Wall Street Journal, Sept 4 2003)
Mills of Conservation International, for instance, damns the project as "a circus sideshow dressed up as eco-tourism. The only good I can possibly see is someone makes money and a wealthy dilettante feels as if she has done something. Conservation should be left to conservationists. This woman would be better off giving her money to those who know what to do with it."
Chris Furley, Howletts Wild Animal Park
(Article: Out of Africa –Into Uncertainty, Wall Street Journal, Sept 4 2003)
Others are equally scathing. Chris Furley, veterinary director of Howletts Wild Animal Park in England, is a leading authority on wildlife reintroduction, with 15 years of experience overseeing release projects in Africa, such as returning captive lowland gorillas to the wild in the Congo. He was initially interested in Li's project, but changed his mind after flying to Beijing. "The whole thing is ridiculous," he says. "It doesn't make biological sense. Our strong feeling is it should be done in-situ."