Tiger Farms feed the appetites for those desiring their hides and bones.

Photo courtesy of Candie_N (will organize photostream eventually)  

Across China, tigers are increasingly being bred for their hides and bones. Their bones are of increasing demand as they are turned into various medicines and ‘tonic’ wines. It is thought that, in China, there are now between 5,000 and 10,000 tiger farms which have bred more than 5,000 tigers - more than there are currently in the wild. Conservationists’ dread that this inhumane practice will have detrimental effects on the wild populations of tigers and will drive their populations further toward extinction, as it will increase awareness and demand for these much desired tiger products.

The Chinese government banned the trade of tiger parts in 1993, yet there is still a large market for tiger products especially as the middle class population is increasing. The value of tiger parts is soaring; a single pelt is worth an astonishing $20,000 and just one paw is worth $1,000. In 2010, a tiger summit was held in St. Petersburg and China promised to shut all these farms down; however, sadly, nothing has been done on the issue to date. 

These farmed tigers live and suffer in unnatural and cruel conditions and live their whole lives in captivity. China’s largest tiger breeding farm is called Xiongsen and has a total of 1,500 tigers in captivity. Many of these cats roam around treeless, un-enriched enclosures while others are crammed in small cages where they miserably pace up and down.  These tigers are then exploited for the public’s entertainment. Those who pay a $12 entry fee are welcomed to a viewing of the mistreated tigers jumping through hoops and performing balancing acts. The Xiongsen farm was also proud to sell steaks of these extremely endangered species in their restaurant.

Not only do these farms exploit these precious animals but they also present an unnatural breeding procedure. Tigress’ that give birth in these captive environments produce offspring three times more regularly than they would normally in the wild. Cubs that are born in some of the farms are frequently, prematurely taken away from their mothers, leaving them inappropriately weaned.  If this isn’t bad enough, some of the cubs are made to feed on the milk of other animals, including pigs and dogs. This procedure takes place to allow the tigress to produce yet another litter.

Several wildlife groups are extremely concerned over the welfare of these tigers and the potential increase in poaching it may cause and say that nothing has been done to sort the issues out following China’s promise to shut all farms down in 2010.

By Laura Ireson