Putin for tougher sanctions for tiger poaching
December 6, 2010 Leave a comment
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin today sought tougher sanctions for tiger poaching to preserve the royal beast, which was once at the point of extinction in Siberia.
A Siberian tiger rescued from poacher’s snare.
Speaking at a conference organised by his United Russia party in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk Putin agreed that the fine of 1,500 roubles (USD 48) for tiger poaching was too small and in a lighter vein added: “Feed them to tigers and leopards!”
Putin, who last month hosted the International Tiger Summit in his hometown St. Petersburg, takes pride in the growth of tiger population in Siberia from roughly a couple of dozens to over five hundred in past decades.
Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who is accompanying Putin on the tour, told reporters that Russian Ministry of Natural Resources had already tabled a bill providing for harsher punishment for poaching and illegal hunting.
