絶滅危惧種であるスマトラトラの保全政策として インドネシアの新制度
Indonesia has a new plan to save the Critically Endangered Sumatran tiger, reports the AFP: sell captive-born tigers as pets. The proposed price is 100,000 US dollars for a pair of Sumatran tigers with the money going to conservation efforts, though it was unclear who would manage these funds.
“We’re not selling or renting tigers. We’re only authorizing people to look after them,” forestry ministry conservation chief Darori told AFP. “These people will have to follow certain conditions. The tigers will still belong to the government.”
Officials would require that the ‘pet’-owners would have to have at least 60 square meters (646 square feet) to contain the two animals. Government officials would monitor the animals’ health and punish owners for mistreatment. The AFP reports that the idea was first raised by wealthy businessmen who want to possess tigers for the ‘prestige’ it gives them.
 Sumatran tiger. Photo by Rhett A. Butler. |
However, environmentalists are skeptical. しかし、環境保護関係者らはこの新政策に懐疑的である。They say that instead of selling tigers as pets, the government should be focusing on conserving the dwindling tiger habitat on Sumatra. Deforestation for logging and oil palm plantations has devastated tiger habitat on the island. In addition, conservationists warn that selling captive tigers to private individuals is likely to only fuel the black-market trade in tiger parts, which has devastated tigers across their range.
トラは世界でもっとも大きなネコ科の動物であり、そしてもっとも危険な哺乳類である。ペットとして予測のつかない動物であり、長期にわたって調教を受けたトラでさえも攻撃することがある。長年ラスベガスでトラと共に活動していた著名イリュージョニスト、Roy Horn氏もステージで瀕死の重傷を負った。
トラの亜種であるスマトラトラは、IUCNレッドリストの絶滅危惧種IA類に指定されている。近年野生のスマトラトラによる重症被害や死亡事件が何件も報告されており、急激に進んだ森林破壊が残りわずか２００頭と推測されたトラの生息地を狭めている。彼らと地元民の距離は縮まるばかりだ。
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