Live Tiger Cub Found in Suitcase

The baby tiger pictured above was found hidden among stuffed toy tigers in the suitcase of a woman flying from Iran to Thailand. The cub was gagged to keep him quiet, and drugged to keep him inactive.


When he was rescued, he was so dehydrated and weak he couldn't walk. Wildlife authorities rushed him to the Thailand National Parks Conservation Centre where he was given oxygen, water and special formula.

Can you imagine how frightened and confused he must have been?

The tiger cub recovered, and the smuggler was fined and faces charges. But the enormous problem of wildlife smuggling goes on.

Animals suffer horribly in the wildlife trade. I need your help today to stop it.

Most smugglers take the risk that they will not be inspected - that is why IFAW is training officials to curb this illegal trafficking of animals.

To date, IFAW has trained over 1,600 wildlife law enforcement officials in the Middle East, the Caribbean, Oceania, Africa, Bhutan, and the Republic of Georgia. We're actively working to save wild animals from commercial exploitation and the international wildlife trade. And we're funding ranger patrols in Bhutan to save the last of the world's remaining wild tigers.

Our efforts are working, but the illegal wildlife trade is still rampant. In fact, it's right up there with drug trafficking in terms of profitability.

We need to do more. And with your help today, we will:

Provide more patrols, equipment and secure habitat to protect tigers and elephants;
Train more customs and other border officials and pay for more anti-poaching patrols;
And care for more injured and confiscated animals.
The tiger cub is now safe and healthy, but so many more animals are still in danger. I know you feel the same way I do - that tiger cubs and baby sun bears and magnificent elephants are thinking, feeling animals that shouldn't suffer in agony for the profit of greedy poachers and smugglers.

Of course, you and I also know that it's not enough to simply feel bad for animals - we need action. We need to continue to protect, rescue, and care for suffering animals.

Please help me do that by making a donation to protect animals today.

Thank you for your gift on their behalf.

With deep gratitude,

Kelvin Alie
IFAW Director, Wildlife Trade Programme

P.S. This tiger cub was fortunately brought back to health. But there’s still so much to do. Please help suffering animals and take a stand against the cruel wildlife trade today.