*EPF413 02/15/01
Transcript: Rep. Gilchrest Feb. 14 on Rhino-Tiger Conservation Act
(Rep. Gilchrest notes sharp decline in tigers before act) (1010)
Representative Wayne Gilchrest (Republican of Maryland) is seeking reauthorization of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994.
In a February 14 speech, the Maryland Republican urged his fellow lawmakers to back reauthorization of an act he termed "a landmark" of conservation law.
Before the original act, Gilchrest noted, the tiger population in the wild had plummeted from 100,000 at the beginning of the decade of the 1990s to only 5,000 when the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act became law in 1994.
"It was clear that unless immediate action was taken, these species would virtually disappear from their historic range," Gilchrest said. "Fortunately, Congress responded to this crisis."
Since the act's passage in 1994, Gilchrest said, Congress has appropriated $2.9 million to the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund.
"This money," he went on, "has been matched by $4.1 million in private funding. Together this money has been used to finance 111 conservation projects in 16 range countries."
Among the projects supported by the fund, Gilchrest said, are a database on tiger poaching, trade and other wildlife crimes in India; desert Rhino conservation and research; development of national tiger action plan in Cambodia; establishment of a viable population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros; public education on Siberian tiger conservation; and a survey and habitat assessment for South China tigers.
Following is a transcript of Representative Gilchrest's February 14 speech from the Congressional Record:
(begin transcript)
INTRODUCTION OF THE RHINOCEROS AND TIGER REAUTHORIZATION ACT
HON. WAYNE T. GILCHREST
(Extensions of Remarks)
February 14, 2001
HON. WAYNE T. GILCHREST OF MARYLAND
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday
February 14, 2001
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I am today pleased to introduce legislation to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, which is a landmark conservation law.
When the Congress first enacted this proposal seven years ago, the population of these two magnificent animals had fallen to record lows. It was clear that unless immediate action was taken, these species would virtually disappear from their historic range. Fortunately, Congress responded to this crisis.
In the case of the five species of rhinoceros their population status was bleak. In fact, the number of African black rhinos alone had fallen from 65,000 animals in 1970 to fewer than 2,000 in 1994. In total, there were less than 11,000 rhinos living in the wild.
While human population growth was a major factor in the destruction of the rhinoceros habitat, the other major cause of the species decline was the huge demand for products made from rhinoceros horn. Rhinoceros horn has been used for generations to treat illnesses in children and for ceremonial purposes in certain Middle Eastern countries.
Despite this grim future, the fate of the five remaining subspecies of tigers was even worse. In 1990, there were more than 100,000 tigers living in the wild. In 1994, the total was fewer than 5,000 animals which represented a decline of 95 percent. As in the case of rhinos, the illegal hunting of tigers was the overwhelming factor in their demise. Tigers were killed for their fur, and other body parts. Tiger bone powders, wines, and tablets were used to combat pain, kidney, liver problems, rheumatism, convulsions, and heart conditions.
Despite the fact that both rhinos and tigers are internationally protected, these prohibitions have not been effective. In 1998, the Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt testified in support of re-authorizing the act when he said, "This is a small grant program, but it is amazing how much even a small amount of money can mean to our partners in other countries. Something more intangible -- but often even more important -- is the boost to their morale when they realize that we, the United States care enough to help them." At that same hearing, the president of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association stated that, "Passage--combined with increased appropriations for law enforcement will certainly be a bold step by the United States in ending the slaughter of the rhinoceros and tigers in the wild."
Since its passage in 1994, Congress has appropriated $2.9 million to the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund. This money has been matched by $4.1 million in private funding. Together this money has been used to finance 111 conservation projects in 16 range countries. These projects have included: A database on tiger poaching, trade and other wildlife crimes in India; desert Rhino conservation and research; development of national tiger action plan in Cambodia; establishment of a viable population of "greater one-horned rhinoceros"; public education on Siberian tiger conservation; survey and habitat assessment for South China tigers; training in anti-poaching techniques for rhinoceros in southern national parks; training of staff in Nepal's Department of National Parks, and a video on tiger poaching in Russia. In addition, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has done a superb job of managing the Save the Tiger Fund that has helped to educate millions of people about the harmful effects of tiger poaching.
Since the establishment of this grant program, these conservation projects have helped to change international opinion on the need to protect their animals. While the job is far from complete, the population of both animals has slightly increased and there is new found hope of saving their species from extinction. However, it is essential that the availability of money to this fund be extended for an additional five years. In addition, I will work to increase the amount of appropriated money for rhinoceros and tiger projects. The good news is that the Department of the Interior financed 111 projects. The bad news is that it lacked the resources to fund some 358 other projects, many of which were highly meritorious.
I urge support for the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2001.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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