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Crime chiefs agree to get tough on illegal tiger trade

Tiger (Getty Images/Panoramic Images) About 4,000 tigers are estimated to remain in the wild

Crime chiefs from countries with populations of wild tigers have agreed to work together in order to combat the illegal trade in the big cats.

Heads of police and customs from 13 nations agreed to tighten controls and improve cross-border co-operation at a two-day meeting in Bangkok. Only six subspecies remain, with fewer than 1,000 tigers in each group. Smuggling of tiger parts is one of the main threats facing the planet's remaining big cats, say experts.

Polar Bear

Bear (Polar)

Polar Bear

Polar bear: Ursus maritimus

Distribution: northern polar regions occurring in 5 nations - Greenland, Norway, Canada, United States, the former Soviet Union and also on Arctic sea pack ice usually within 300km of land. Some individuals wander up to 200km inland.

Population: 20,000 - 25,000 with 60% living in Canada. Status: vulnerable species (IUCN).

Habitat: favourite habitat is a combination of pack ice, open water and coastal land.

Description: coat colour varies from pure white to shades of yellow. Small ears; black eyes and nose.

Height: 1.6m to shoulder

Length: 2.2 - 2.5m.

Size of feet: 30cm long, 25cm wide.

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