印度野生保護人士反對中國圈養老虎 (Indian Conservationists Oppose China Tiger Farms)

中國試圖使老虎圈養合法化的努力招致野生保護人士的強烈抗議聲浪，尤其在印度。中國目前禁止銷售可用在傳統中藥中的老虎身體部位。不過，中國正在尋求國際支持修改有關禁令，允許銷售圈養老虎身上的部位。

野生動物保護人士星期三在新德里表示了憂慮。中國的一個代表團目前在新德里會晤印度官員，尋求印度支持解除圈養老虎的禁令。印度目前擁有全球老虎總數的一半。

野生動物保護人士擔心，中國的圈養場有可能鼓勵印度的獵捕行為。這些人士表示，圈養老虎可能會增加對老虎身體部位的市場需求，從而使得非法買賣老虎身體部位的活動對偷獵者更具吸引力。

Efforts in China to legalize tiger farming have prompted roars of protest from conservationists, especially in India. China currently bans the sale of tiger body parts -- used in traditional medicine. But China is seeking international support to modify the ban to allow the sale of body parts from tigers raised on farms.

Conservationists voiced their concerns Wednesday in New Delhi, where a Chinese delegation met with Indian officials seeking India's support for lifting the ban on farm raised tigers. India is home to as many as half the world's tigers.

Conservationists worry the farms in China could encourage poaching in India. They say the farms would increase market demand for tiger parts -- making the illegal trade in the parts more attractive to poachers.