More than eight thousand conservationists and policy makers are currently in in Barcelona, Spain, for the IUCN World Conservation Congress.

Held once every four years, the gathering is viewed as a landmark event where future conservation strategies are developed.

Amongst the motions being debated on Saturday, was one about the Iberian lynx, of which there are only probably around 1500-200 remaining in the wild.

The problem is the one that threatens more species than any other; habitat loss, as wild animals give ground to man.

In this case, the plaintiffs are simply asking Spain and Portugal to give greater priority to the lynx’s preservation - which presumably means restricting the intensification of agriculture, urban development and road building.

Two Amur tigers have been transported from Edinburgh Zoo to a new enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park, near Kingussie.

The pair named Yuri and Sasha have previously reared six cubs.

Edinburgh Zoo said the wild population was in its healthiest state since before World War II, but remained at serious threat of extinction.

It has previously been proposed moving Edinburgh’s polar bear, Mercedes, to the Highland park.

Edinburgh Zoo have replaced the Amurs with a young pair of Sumatran tigers.

The new arrivals - named Tibor and Chandra - are just over a year old and arrived from Heidelberg Zoo in Germany.

Sumatran tigers are also a critically endangered species.

Doug Richardson, animal collection manager at Highland Wildlife Park, said staff were excited to have the Amurs in their care.

He said: “The arrival of the tigers is the latest step in the evolution of the Highland Wildlife Park and one that I am sure will help to raise our profile both within and outside of the Highlands community.”

Scott Armstrong, VisitScotland’s regional director, said the move would increase visitor numbers at the park.

He added: “Due to the current economic climate, it’s a great time to explore what’s on our doorsteps and these tigers will mean a unique experience for both locals and those venturing from further a field.”

DiCaprio and Suki’s litter arrived on June 12th - 3 GORGEOUS Blue babies (1 girl and 2 boys) and one very contrasted Silver girl

DiCaprio and Roze’s litter arrived on July 2nd. She had 6 beautiful brown spotted babies. 4 boys, 2 girls (1 girl and 1 boy staying).

Kittens are TICA registered, up to date on vaccinations and wormings. Raised underfoot in-home. Socialized with other cats/litters, dog, and the public. Health Guarantee and Lifetime take-back policy. Great temperaments. All pets are sold spayed/neutered.

A recent count in the western Nepalese Shuklaphanta wildlife reserve, which shares an open border with India, has shown a decrease of about 50% in tiger numbers from just three years ago.

Initial results of a tiger count in another nearby protected area, the Bardiya National Park, are not good either.

“It is very disturbing news,” says Diwakar Chapagain of conservation group WWF, which supported the government in the tiger count.
“More so when there are indications that the tigers did not die natural deaths,” he added.
Following the tiger count in Shuklaphanta wildlife reserve, the report submitted by the tiger task force concluded that there had not been a noticeable decline in the tigers’ key prey species.
“(Therefore) tiger mortality due to natural deaths and through poaching is worth exploring,” it recommended.
But conservationists closely monitoring poaching and illegal trading of wildlife believe they have some explanation for the observed decreases.
They say members of Indian traditional hunting communities - Bawariyas and Beheliyas - have been increasingly moving in after being hounded out by authorities in India.

“From our informers on the ground, we have information that more than 50 Bawariyas and Beheliyas families have entered Nepal and they are now in Nepalese-protected areas and jungles,” says Prasanna Yonjan of Wildlife Conservation Nepal, which has helped officials catch illegal wildlife traders and traffickers.
Hem Aryal, the forest officer in Banke district (where the Bardiya National park is located), says he has been tipped off about the arrival of the hunting communities by Indian authorities.
“In one of our recent bilateral meetings, Indian officials with the border security force told us that they had noticed some movement of these hunting tribes in border areas,” he said. “We are therefore on high alert.”
After arresting an illegal wildlife trafficker recently, Aryal’s team is even more convinced that the hunters and poachers are already active in the Nepalese side.
“This trafficker revealed to us that the leopard skin he was carrying was given to him by Indian hunters; their description perfectly matched with what the Indian officials have told us,” he said.

Some conservationists in India share the same opinion as their Nepalese counterparts about the recent tiger poaching and the arrival of traditional Indian hunters.

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Bennett was prepared to adopt Suzy, a 350-pound Bengal tiger, after her owner in Cowichan Lake was told to get rid of her by the end of the month.

“She faces death or life in the cage, she can never be set free,” Bennett said. “I didn’t want to see her dead.”

But when Highlands residents heard of the new addition to their community, mayor and council found themselves answering numerous phone calls and e-mails of concerns.

Bennett does agree tigers should not be kept as pets, but Suzy has never known life outside a cage.

“I don’t think people should catch new tigers,” Bennett said. “I just don’t want to see her dead.”

After researching their options, council held a special council meeting at the municipal hall on Aug. 22. The first three readings for bylaw No. 311 passed, which prohibits residents from having exotic pets.

“I had no idea there even was a meeting until Mark Cardinal called me after and said that they passed three readings,” Bennett said. “I checked out everything (legally) before I did this. I am not breaking any rules.”

“I tip my hat to Mr. Bennett to save the tiger,” said Mayor Mark Cardinal. “It’s unfortunate tigers are in cages, but we have to look after public safety.”

On Aug. 25 another special council meeting was held and final reading of the bylaw passed.

“It’s good the District of Highlands is acting quickly,” said Sara Dubois, manager of Wildlife Services, BC SPCA.

Laura Beckett, District planner, found a tiger sanctuary in Colorado willing to take Suzy. The only cost of admitting the tiger to the sanctuary would be a $3,000 transportation fee.

Council said it was a difficult decision to make, but knowing the tiger would not be put down made it easier.

“I am not paying to have her sent to Colorado,” Bennett said. “A week ago a cougar was walking down Munns Road, that is more dangerous than this tiger. She’ll be in this pen for the remainder of her life.”

Prior the decision from council Bennett spent $10,000 creating a cage for Suzy 50 feet away from his house.

Measuring 30 feet by 60 feet, the cage walls consist of 12-foot metal poles cemented three feet into the ground and covered with chain link fencing. The fence is buried and cemented into the ground a foot deep.

“I’m going overboard on safety,” Bennett said. “Everything is right by the book.”

Bennett planned to line one side of the cage with bamboo plants. It already has running water, a log, tire swing and a pond for the tiger. He would also be installing two video cameras around the cage.

For the past two-and-a-half years Suzy has lived in a 20 by 20 foot pen wrapped in deer fencing. Her pond consisted of an upside down satellite dish filled with water.

“The cage I am making for her is like a resort,” Bennett said.

Bennett said the previous owner contacted some zoos and asked if they would take the tiger to no avail. Suzy is not a pure bred Bengal and there is speculation she could of have some Siberian tiger in her.

“It is in the interest of the species’ survival breeding program that most zoos accept animals who have the best genetic representation of the species,” said Laurie Herron, Calgary Zoo manager of communications.

Zoos face other issues when accepting new animals.

“It is not that we don’t want them, but space and finances are also an issue,” said Jody Henderson, Greater Vancouver Zoo spokesperson.Without a zoo willing to take the animal, Bennett felt he was the only one to care for the animal.

Bennett owns five acres of property off of Millstream Road. His property is also boarded by power lines which add to his seclusion, Bennett said.

Through research Bennett says he is ready to care for the tiger, but some professionals question weather he is certified to do so.

“He’s taking on a big responsibility,” said Helen Schwantje, provincial wildlife veterinarian for B.C. Ministry of Environment. “(Tigers) can live up to 20 years, as long as a domestic cat.”

It’s a responsibility Bennett is up for.

“I’ve lived at this house for the past 19 years,” he said, “and I am going to die here.”

Inspector Sam Tselanyane said “The boy, Oageng Mogale, was in his home’s yard when the [leopard] pounced on him. His father rushed to assist him but the animal attacked him too.”

Father and son sustained injuries to the head and body. The leopard went up a hill after “a hassle with another relative in the yard”.

Police and the North West Parks Board were alerted and the community joined in the search for the animal, said Tselanyane.

“While busy searching, the [leopard] emerged from the trees and pounced on the police officers.

“One of the cops fired shots from his rifle and the leopard diverted its attention to a police reservist who also fired a shot from his gun,” he said.

“A reservist was shot twice in the leg by diverted ammunition.”

He said the [leopard] was becoming more and more aggressive, attacking randomly.

However, the officers started shooting it simultaneously and it was killed.

All the injured were taken to the Zeerust hospital. It was not known where the leopard had come from.

Tselanayne said the village was in a very mountainous and bushy area near the Botswana border.

“It might have come from there, we don’t know. The North West Parks Board is conducting investigations”, he added.

Sapa earlier reported that it was a tiger and not a leopard that attacked the village.