Wildlife crime profound threat to nations, says report

The global illegal trade in wildlife

is worth $19bn (£12bn) a year and is threatening the stability of some governments according to new research. Carried out for conservation group WWF, a report highlights a "new wave" of organised wildlife crime by armed groups operating across borders. It says funds from trafficking are being used to finance civil conflicts. The study comes as Malaysian officials captured about 20 tonnes of ivory in one of the biggest seizures ever made.

According to Jim Leape, WWF International director

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.