More depressing news for tiger populations...

Skin trade threatens world's surviving tigers

In Asia, tiger skins can sell for $15,000. In Vietnam, a skeleton -- the bones widely believed by Asians to be an aphrodisiac -- can fetch as much as $25,000.

"It is believed that about 100 years back, the global population of wild tigers was about 100,000," Dey said. "However, the population dwindled to 8,000 by 1960. Today it stands at around 5,000 to 7,000."

It's been stated (even here) that the problem with the trade is that it is largely made up of the starving, sub-poverty level poor. While I agree that the trade tends to utilize the poor for the "dirty work," it does not forgive the crime in itself.

For example, if I were starving, the issue at hand would be to acquire food. In this sense, I can understand poaching certain animals to consume. But the trade in skins and parts is very lucrative. The money is the motivation - not the ability for subsistence. This is why I do not believe we should take focus off the crime, although I am in agreement that the "demand" side of things should be more aggressively targeted.

Thoughts?