Tiger meat on menu: Activists cry foul in China

KATHMANDU: Conservation groups have urged the Chinese government to probe into reports that a restaurant in the country's largest tiger farm serves the animal's meat.

"China should take immediate action to investigate this report. It's outrageous and shocking to think that one of the world's most endangered animals could be served as a trendy dish right under the noses of Chinese authorities," said Prasanna S Yonzon of Wildlife Conservation Nepal.

"It proves what we've said all along: tiger farms in China have nothing to do with conservation and everything to do with making money," he said in a statement.

The Beijing-based Independent Television News showed a report of a piece of tiger meat served to its staff in February.

The owner of the farm was incidentally a member of the Chinese delegation to last week's International Tiger Symposium here.

"The tiger farms are business operations. It is not surprising that these businessmen breed tigers to sell their products. What is surprising is that the tiger farm owners are allowed to attend the meeting of this esteemed world body," said Grace Ge Gabriel, Asia Regional Director for IFAW.

"While all other participants are discussing ways to protect wild tigers, these tiger farm owners are openly promoting the trade of tiger parts. Their shameful actions are damaging China's image the world over," Gabriel said.