As long as there is a market for tiger paws, shark fins, and such, we will continue to lose our natural world at an unprecedented rate. Largely due to tradition and ubsubstantiated belief, China and numerous of her Asian brethren are consuming some of the world's most magnificent animal and natural resources. And in the name of progress, China is polluting the world at a rate never seen. It is indeed a sad world we will leave for our children if we cannot curtail this madness. Is this progress?
No, Shiro...I respectfully beg to differ, A few facts, if I may:
China, not America, has always viewed the tiger as a symbol of strength and power (in imperial days it was the symbol of generals.) It is China that has texts on medicinal use of the parts of the tiger dating back centuries and spread the practice thereof to other East Asian nations. It is China's calendar that has the tiger on it. It is in China where a single paw like the one above can sell for $5,000 and it is the Himalayan border that is a route for parts into CHINA.
It is really none of my business what people want to eat half a world a way from me; I could really give a damn. But I am frightened by the prospect that an animal so culturally important to East Asia is being loved to death: Extinct in both Koreas, most of China, declining in Vietnam. I am even more alarmed by the fact that Chinese are turning up in other parts of the world: arrested in US national parks for poaching bear galls and paws. Arrested in Botswana for rhino horns. Arrested in India for tigers. Increasingly arrested for shark finning...in waters very far from home. I do not like the idea of being eaten out of house and home, and I especially don't like the infamous Chinese rhetoric of, "problem? what problem?!"
Most of these paws sold are fake. They are a dime a dozen in the streets of Guangzhou. I doubt real tiger paws are this abundant. It is quite rare to find a real one.
Comments
As long as there is a market for tiger paws, shark fins, and such, we will continue to lose our natural world at an unprecedented rate. Largely due to tradition and ubsubstantiated belief, China and numerous of her Asian brethren are consuming some of the world's most magnificent animal and natural resources. And in the name of progress, China is polluting the world at a rate never seen. It is indeed a sad world we will leave for our children if we cannot curtail this madness. Is this progress?
Posted by: Bob Crosby on 12/11/07 at 3:13 PM Respond
yeah it is all asias fault
sarcasm you see
Posted by: Anonymous on 01/05/08 at 4:21 AM Respond
I hope that guy at some point in his life gets mauled by a tiger so he can see how it feels.
Posted by: Bush4 on 01/28/08 at 9:43 AM Respond
There is a market for tigger paws only because irresponsible american turists buy its.
Posted by: Shiro on 02/08/08 at 12:18 PM Respond
No, Shiro...I respectfully beg to differ, A few facts, if I may:
China, not America, has always viewed the tiger as a symbol of strength and power (in imperial days it was the symbol of generals.) It is China that has texts on medicinal use of the parts of the tiger dating back centuries and spread the practice thereof to other East Asian nations. It is China's calendar that has the tiger on it. It is in China where a single paw like the one above can sell for $5,000 and it is the Himalayan border that is a route for parts into CHINA.
It is really none of my business what people want to eat half a world a way from me; I could really give a damn. But I am frightened by the prospect that an animal so culturally important to East Asia is being loved to death: Extinct in both Koreas, most of China, declining in Vietnam. I am even more alarmed by the fact that Chinese are turning up in other parts of the world: arrested in US national parks for poaching bear galls and paws. Arrested in Botswana for rhino horns. Arrested in India for tigers. Increasingly arrested for shark finning...in waters very far from home. I do not like the idea of being eaten out of house and home, and I especially don't like the infamous Chinese rhetoric of, "problem? what problem?!"
Posted by: MK on 02/10/08 at 10:13 PM Respond
Most of these paws sold are fake. They are a dime a dozen in the streets of Guangzhou. I doubt real tiger paws are this abundant. It is quite rare to find a real one.
Posted by: John on 05/07/08 at 6:11 AM Respond