At least ten tigers have been butchered in China in front of rich businessmen and officials who ordered the killings for entertainment – and to show off their wealth – it’s been reported.
The animals, which are protected by law, were slaughtered in Zhanjiang city in the country’s Guangdong province and police have arrested 15 people over the killings, which they said first began in 2006.
The suspects could face the death penalty if found guilty.
One male suspect, aged 61, apparently died while leaping from a building in a desperate attempt to escape a police raid on March 19, according to Ecns.com.
The tigers were killed simply as entertainment for officials and businessmen, and as a way of flaunting wealth, according to China Daily.
WWF said there there may only be 3,200 wild tigers left in the world – and just 50 in China.
One scientist said that tigers will always be in danger if Chinese people continue to believe that their parts have health benefits.
Tags: China, rich businessmen