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### Viewing cable 07GUANGZHOU785, Devouring Dragon, Disappearing Tigers: A Look at South

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
07GUANGZHOU785 | 2007-07-12 01:34 | 2011-08-23 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Consulate Guangzhou

`

    VZCZCXRO0040
    RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
    DE RUEHGZ #0785/01 1930134
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    R 120134Z JUL 07
    FM AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6241
    INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
    RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 3810
    RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1450
    RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
    RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC 0967
    RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
    RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
    RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
    RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 GUANGZHOU 000785

    SIPDIS

    SENSITIVE
    SIPDIS

    STATE ALSO PASS USTR
    PACOM FOR FPA

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: ECON SENV EINV KIPR CH
    SUBJECT: Devouring Dragon, Disappearing Tigers: A Look at South
    China's Tiger Farms and Reserves

    ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: China has launched a number of conservation efforts
    to save the remaining tigers in China, including the nearly extinct
    South China tiger.  However, the demand for tiger products persists,
    much of it related to the vaunted health, medicinal and preservative
    qualities of the tiger; there are also questions as to the
    motivation of these tiger conservation efforts and it appears that
    the two preserves visited by Econoff really can't sustain themselves
    without undertaking some commercial actions that would affect the
    well being of the animals they are supposed to protect.  END
    SUMMARY

    Endangered Species at Guilin Xiong Seng Tiger and Bear Farm
    ---------------------------- ------------------------------

    ¶2. (U) The Guilin Xiong Seng Tiger and Bear Farm is located
    approximately 30 minutes outside of the city center of Guilin in
    Guangxi province.  The farm boasts having 400 Asiatic black bears
    and 1300 rare tigers, including south China tigers, white tigers,
    and Siberian tigers.  All of the animals are either endangered
    species, or in the case of the South China tiger, nearly extinct. A
    placard on the front gate of the farm indicated that the farm
    received funding from the State Forestry Administration. Econoff
    made an unofficial visit to the farm and had no official contact
    with the farm's management.  At the time of Econoff's visit, there
    were only approximately 20 visitors to the farm.

    ¶3. (SBU) In April 2007, the British-based Independent Television
    Network and the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported
    that the farm was selling tiger meat at its restaurants as well as
    tiger paw and wine with tiger bone.  During Econoff's visit there
    were newly-erected signs throughout the farm stating: "for the
    protection of Guilin Xiong Seng's Intellectual Property Rights, any
    photography, videotaping... or news-gathering is STRICTLY
    FORBIDDEN."  However, there appeared to be no effort to enforce this
    regulation.

    ¶4. (SBU) The farm consists of two large open air areas for the black
    bears.  Based on a quick count by Econoff, nearly 200 black bears
    were visible.  Many of the bears appeared obese.  Several bears that
    were close enough for us to observe had small patches of hair shaved
    off of their torsos.

    ¶5. (SBU) The tigers are divided by species and kept within open air
    areas or small caged pens.  The tigers numbered up to five in an
    open area or up to three in a small pen.  They appeared to be well
    fed and in good health.  There were also a number of cages which
    visitors were not allowed access to, but tigers could be spotted
    inside the cages.  Econoff estimated the total number of tigers he
    saw at more than 500. The farm also had a small number of African
    lions.

    ¶6. (SBU) The farm included a theater where bear cubs and tigers
    performed in a circus-like environment.  During the performance,
    Econoff witnessed several tigers being struck with a metal pole,
    while other tigers were whipped.  The farm also has a dirt race
    track where several animals, such as camels and horses, raced.  In
    addition, a mock Chinese marriage procession was performed with
    black bear cubs acting as bride and groom.

    ¶8. (SBU) There is also a large open space area that is allegedly a
    training area for tigers which arw to be introduced into the wild.
    During Econoff's visit, visitors watched tigers hunt and kill oxen
    or water buffalo, which in theory could be useful in training a
    tiger to hunt and kill.  Econoff also visited the nursery area of
    the farm where young animals were being raised.  The tiger cubs in
    this area were eager to congregate near Econoff in anticipation of
    food.  None of the cubs exhibited any fear of humans.

    ¶11. (SBU) The only educational area was a small museum at the far
    end of the farm, consisting of stuffed tigers and bears.  Adjacent
    to the museum is a store selling powdered black bear bile and tiger
    wine, i.e. wine laced with powdered tiger bone.  There were also a
    few tiger dolls, but they were not prominently displayed.  Econoff
    could not find a building that was used for research or scientific
    purposes.  Staff said there were no research facilities at the
    farm.

    ¶12. (SBU) Comment: The staff of the store was initially very
    suspicious and reluctant to discuss their products.  However,

    GUANGZHOU 00000785  002 OF 003

    Econoff convinced the staff that he was Korean and the staff became
    eager to sell items to the Econoff.  The staff stated that up to
    three tour groups of Koreans came a day, numbering more than 30 in
    each group.  The Koreans were among the most enthusiastic purchasers
    of both the black bear bile and the tiger wine, according to store
    staff.  The staff also said that the export of these products to
    South Korea was not illegal, but was illegal to ship to Europe.  The
    price for 500 ml of black bear bile was RMB 396 (approximately USD
    52).  Staff noted that it took approximately 5000 ml of bear bile to
    produce this powder, which allegedly has powerful medicinal
    attributes.  The price of the tiger wine varied depending on the age
    of the wine.  One year old wine cost RMB 80 (USD 10.50).  Three
    year-old tiger wine cost RMB 420 (USD 55) and eight year-old tiger
    wine cost RMB 896 (USD 117).  In the store, Econoff could see four
    large vats, allegedly full of tiger wine, on display.

    ¶13. (SBU) Comment: At the entrance of the farm were two restaurants
    but they both appeared to be closed. Locals said that until
    recently, both restaurants served tiger meat and that it was
    possible to purchase tiger skin but buyers were required to reserve
    them in advance.  The staff denied tiger meat or tiger skin was
    available for purchase.

    An Overview of Longyan Tiger Reserve
    ------------------------------------

    ¶14. (U) Longyan Tiger Reserve is located approximately 3 hours
    outside of Xiamen in Fujian province.  The Reserve was established
    by the Forestry Department in 2001 with a goal of increasing the
    number of nearly extinct south China tigers through natural
    breeding.  Neither Forestry Department nor Reserve officials were
    willing to facilitate an official visit.  Econoff spoke instead with
    working staff.  Initially starting with six South China tigers, the
    reserve now boasts a population of 22 tigers.  At the time of
    Econoff's visit, there were no other visitors to the reserve.

    ¶15. (U) The reserve consists of an inn with rooms and a restaurant,
    an abandoned monkey habitat, an abandoned bird habitat, and an
    operational tiger habitat.  There is no evidence of a research or
    scientific facility at the reserve.  Monitoring cameras at the tiger
    habitat were all unplugged.

    ¶16. (SBU) The inn had a stuffed South China tiger as a display in
    the main entrance with three stuffed tiger cubs.  The inn also sold
    tiger wine from Guilin among other souvenirs.  However, the staff
    denied that the store sold any other tiger products.

    ¶17. (SBU) The tiger habitat consisted of eight cages and four large
    open space areas.  Econoff was able to observe 4 tigers in the open
    space areas as well as six tigers in the caged areas, including
    tiger cubs.  The tigers appeared to be well fed and in good health.
    Several signs attached to the tiger enclosure indicated that four
    companies had previously sponsored the care of particular tigers.

    ¶18. (SBU) The staff stated that they were not aware of any plans to
    improve the marketing of the reserve, nor were they aware of plans
    to reintroduce tigers into the wild.  When asked about scientific
    research, reserve staff, which included one member with daily
    contact with the tigers, said that he knew of no research being
    conducted at present.

    Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!: Conservation or Consumption?
    -------------------------- ------------------------
    ¶19. (SBU) Comment: Although Econoff was unable to confirm
    allegations that tiger meat was available at the Guilin Tiger Farm,
    the commercial nature of the farm was troubling.  The large number
    of endangered tigers and bears present with no current plans to
    reintroduce to them into the wild raises concern regarding the
    motivation of such a farm.  Given the cost of feeding and caring for
    the numerous tigers, lions and bears, it appears highly unlikely
    that the farm would be able to meet its costs based solely on the
    admission price and government subsidies.  One local alleged that
    the farm was selling or leasing out tigers to other places.  The
    source was unable to provide more detailed information regarding the
    fate of those animals and Econoff is unable to confirm this
    allegation.

    ¶20. (SBU)  The Longyan reserve at this time does not appear to be a
    commercial operation similar to the Guilin farm.  However, the lack

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    of a plan regarding the future of the South China tigers located at
    this park, its similarities in the design and layout of the reserve
    compared to the Guilin farm, and no obvious sources of funding to
    provide for the care of the tigers raise troubling questions
    regarding the long-term purpose of the facility.

    GOLDBERG

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