Lory Park holds conservation talks

One of the directors of Race against Extinction, Sharon Solomon, told the Midrand Reporter there were only 1 200 tigers remaining in the world today.

Solomon said Race against Extinction and Lory Park provide conservation education in rural areas regarding endangered species and anti-wildlife trafficking. “Our organisation is mainly involved with tiger trade conservation, education and awareness,” she said.

Solomon explained that, over the past few years, it was not only rhino horn that had lured poachers. “Lion bones are being smuggled from Africa to the East, to replace tiger bones for tiger-bone wine. Tiger poachers believe if you eat the heart of a tiger you will have great strength and they use tigers’ eyes to make pills to cure children from convulsions. These traditional medicinal uses, among others, have made people prey on tigers,” Solomon added.

Kelly Duligall of Lory Park introduced Geisha, an eight-month-old tiger that is being cared for at the park. “Geisha is one of the nine tigers we have at the park,” she said. “Members of the public are welcome to visit the park and learn about animals we have in South Africa and the risks they face at the hands of poachers.”