27 January
OUT of eight species of tiger in the world, three have been extinct. Out of remaining three which are facing on the brink of extinction, two are in Myanmar.
Myanmar is home to a rich variety of habitats and ecosystems, including 14 terrestrial eco-regions supporting 233 globally threatened species. Among those species are 37 that are critically endangered and 65 that are endangered.
The country contains large expanses of species-rich and globally threatened ecosystems, such as lowland tropical forests and mangrove ecosystems, which are critically threatened elsewhere in the region.
The country’s Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary which is geographically bounded between Uyu and Chidwin rivers, hosts a variety of critical Asin large mammal species, such as tigers (Panthera tigris), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Asian largest Bovidae species the Gaur (Bos gaurus) and until not long ago the Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis).
Meanwhile, tigers are on the brink of extinction in the wild, and the forests of southern Taninthayi are one of the last refuges for this species in Myanmar, according to Fauna & Flora International and the Myanmar Forestry Department, which launched a new initiative to protect this iconic species from extinction in the country’s south Myanmar tigers are now at a critical crossroads, facing numerous threats to their survival. The chief threats are conversion of forests into plantations, the wildlife trade and hunting.
A camera trapping survey was systematically conducted, setting 25 camera points for each block. Two camera traps were placed in each monitoring point and those points are 2 kilometers away from each other.
This survey is jointly carried out by the Forest Department, Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary Forest Department and Wildlife Conservation Society (Myanmar).
After consecutive three years of research, tiger photos captured by the trap cameras and footsteps of tigers found by the guardians and volunteers have raised their hopes for tigers conservation. They came to realize that there is a rosy picture of the tiger population.
“According to records and evidences, hunting is considered main threat to tigers, but killing preys of tigers is also a threat to tiger population,” said a conservationist who participated in the research.
Trafficking and selling endangered animals is rampant across Myanmar, especially in border areas which serve as a key hub in the $20 billion a year global wildlife trade.
Last year, Myanmar authorities incinerated illegal wildlife parts worth US$1.3 million and among them, clouded leopard and tiger bones were found. The event becomes the first ever public event for fighting the illegal wildlife trade.
Rare wildlife including elephants, tigers, bears and pangolins are the natural heritage of Myanmar.
Myanmar has seen good progress in the struggle against wildlife crime and has stepped up efforts for patrolling poaching hotspots. But, there are still concerns for conservationists and researchers. Cooperation of local communities in conservation programs for tigers is the key for overcoming the challenges.
(Translated by Gyaw Orwell)
