Protect Bandhavgarh's Tigers From Poachers

We have now completed more than 12 months since the last case of wild tiger poaching in Bandhavgarh, which is quite an achievement as tiger poaching continues to increase elsewhere. Our dedicated patrollers have also achieved success in helping to eliminate retaliatory poisonings of wild tigers in Bandhavgarh for the 40^th successive month. All this has only been possible due to the amazing support we have received from you throughout 2018. As the year draws to a close we must build on this success to ensure that the wild tigers of Bandhavgarh can continue to have safer wild futures.

This week, we learned the devastating news that China has revoked its 25 year ban on the use of tiger bones and rhino horn from captive bred animals in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) used by hospitals; and has also lifted the ban on the domestic trade of antique tiger bone and rhino horn products (the Chinese Government announcement (in Chinese) can be viewed here: http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2018-10/29/content_5335423.htm). This decision could have a devastating impact on wild tigers and rhinos globally as users of TCM believe that tiger bones (and rhino horn) from the wild populations have far greater medicinal potency. The fact remains that the claims of medicinal prowess from tiger bones and tiger bone wine are completely false. Poachers will now look to increase their efforts to acquire bones of elusive wild tigers knowing that rich rewards will await those who can successfully procure the much sought after commodity.

As those of you who have read our previous newsletters will know, all our projects are community focussed to ensure that those who live with wild tigers will have a vested interest in their long term survival. Our Anti-Poaching Patrols are no exception to this, as we recruit our patrollers from the villages affected by wild tiger attacks on livestock and crop raiding by herbivores. We also get uniforms and equipment for our patrollers made by businesses in the villages around the wild tiger habitat, so these businesses know that future work is dependent on the survival of wild tigers. Right now, the night-time temperatures are dropping close to freezing which makes night patrolling a challenge for our patrollers, we are addressing this by getting some warm jackets made up for the patrollers to wear whilst on duty. Each jacket costs just £15 and will last the patroller up to 3 years dependent upon snagging in the forest whilst on duty. To help us buy warm jackets like these and other equipment for the patrollers please donate now at: https://goto.gg/34704 and help us to ensure that 2019 will be another good year for wild tigers in Bandhavgarh.

In our recent report on our 2018 patrolling project: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/saving-bandhavgarhs-wild-tigers/reports/#menu we told you how our work has contributed to an overall 94% decline in poaching incidents since 2015, which compared to the rest of India, where tiger poaching is increasing, is quite remarkable. We have received recent news of even more cubs being born, in addition to the six cubs born at the onset of the monsoon,  which means another increase Bandhavgarh’s tiger numbers, and sadly puts poachers on alert especially as the tiger census results are expected to once again confirm Madhya Pradesh as the tiger state. This again increases the need for protected tiger habitat, something which we are trying to address through new projects which will help to restore depleted tiger habitat, including tree planting schemes and our waterhole project, see more at: https://goto.gg/34315, which we hope will continue to stabilise prey numbers so thatsmaller territories can be adequate for young tigers searching for new territories to establish as their own.

In 2018, our Anti-Poaching Patrols have helped to keep Bandhavgarh free of poachers’ traps; and we hope to continue this success throughout the remainder of this year, and into next year but we cannot do this without funds to keep our patrols in the field. Giving Tuesday is almost here (27 November 2018) and during the lead up to the Year End, we hope our supporters will help us to raise 50% of what we need for our 2019 patrolling - £4820 (US$6363) so that we don’t have to reduce patrolling at this critical time (with the lifting of the ban on trading tiger bones by China, see above). Remember every £20 (US$26) we raise can help us to pay the wages of a patrolling team for a day. Please help if you can at:https://goto.gg/34704. We have already increase our Quarter 4, 2018 patrolling by 20% compared to 2017 to help to address the increased risks but sustaining this will only be possible if we can raisesufficient funds to cover the increased costs going forward to keep our patrollers protecting wild tigers throughout 2019.

If you can help us to give these precious wild tigers a safer wild future, even the smallest donation can help: £10/US$13 can provide 3 hot meals each for 2 patrollers whilst they are on duty, whilst £38/US$50 will help to provide transport and fuel to get a team of 6 Anti-Poaching Patrollers to their patrolling area for the day/night. Your donations help us to feed & pay the patrollers, they also help to provide a safe haven for our patrollers, transport, fuel, and any vital equipment which needs replacing. Transport and fuel are vital tools for our patrollers who need to cover 1598 square kilometres (993 square miles) of precious tiger habitat. All donations, however large or small, will help to keep these brave men and women protecting wild tigers from perishing at the hands of humans.

We have also produced a 2019 Tigers4Ever Calendar which is available to buy from our website at: http://www.tigers4ever.org/onlineshop.html priced £9.99 plus post & packing each. This beautiful A3 full colour calendar contains 14 original images of the tigers your donations are helping to protect plus details of how our work helps to make a real difference for wild tigers. We think this could be a perfect gift for a special someone in your life who loves wild tigers.

I would like to thank you on behalf of the wild tigers, which we are keeping safe; on behalf of the patrollers we are keeping in work (and their families who have food on the table). I would also like to thank you on behalf of the wider tiger community in Bandhavgarh, which benefits from providing food/uniforms/equipment for our patrols and from the safety/education advice given by Deepak, Prahlad and our patrolling team.

Links:

• Tigers4Ever online shop