Traditional (read: primitive) medicine still claiming tigers

They've tried, but apparently not well enough to stop the trade. Just like Japan and fish, "traditional" Chinese medicine -- which means witch-doctor-level potions that use animal body parts -- is still claiming tigers by poaching because the poached tiger parts demand a high price in China. This means that there are areas in China in serious need of enlightenment.

India's tiger protection plan 'failing': experts

The federal government swung into action in 2007 after India's tiger population plunged to just 1,350 -- just over a third of the 3,700 estimated to be alive in 2002.

A new tiger conservation plan chalked out some bold and urgent steps to end the poaching menace, move forest dwellers away from reserves and transfer tigers from one reserve to another while monitoring their movements.

Wildlife experts and directors of the 38 Indian tiger reserves met in Delhi last week for a conference on the highly-prized animals which were estimated to once number about 40,000 before independence from Britain in 1947.

"India has framed all the policies and is doling out ample monetary aid to save the tiger but it is clearly not trickling down," said Belinda Wright, director of the Wildlife Protection of India who attended the conference.

"Poaching cases are just not stopping."

In the last nine months, 25 tigers have been killed by poachers and another 43 have died due to other causes.

On average, poachers kill 30 tigers every year in guarded reserves with demand driven by China where pelts, claws and bones are prized in traditional medicine.