James M. Jeffords: “In 1970 there were over 65,000 black rhinoceros alive in the wild. Today there are only 2,000, and this number is…”

“In 1970 there were over 65,000 black rhinoceros alive in the wild. Today there are only 2,000, and this number is rapidly declining. Of the eight species of tiger which have historically roamed our planet, three species are extinct. In fact, there are fewer than 5,000 tigers left in the wild, a 95 percent decline within this century. At this rate of decline, these species may not survive into the next century. Mr. President, we can no longer stand by and allow these animals to go extinct. The threat is real and it is immediate. Loss of habitat and exploitation by humans threaten the survival of rhinoceros and tigers. But the gravest threat to these species is the international trade in rhinoceros and tiger parts and products. Poaching of rhinoceros and tigers continues because a few select countries continue to use parts from these animals for traditional medicinal purposes and other uses. This illegal trade must stop.”