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The Asian Medicine Trade is probably the largest threat that tigers in the wild face today. For as many as 2,000 years tiger parts have been used to treat a variety of illnesses, and are believed by some to be able to cure diseases of many kinds. Despite the fact that it is illegal to kill tigers, poaching is still abundant and poachers are rewarded for supplying tiger parts to Asian medicine or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Almost every tiger part is of great value in Chinese medicine. Although no medical evidence has ever proved that tiger bones are unique in medical abilities, their use is continued to treat rheumatism as well as other osteo ailments. Tiger penis is believed to be a cure for impotency and tiger penis soup is considered to be a culinary delicacy of great value, priced as much as $100 for a bowl. As the tiger is revered in Asian culture as a strong, majestic and courageous animal, many worship its beauty and believe that by consuming its heart it will give them the courage and strength of the tiger. As this is the greatest threat to tigers in the wild, many efforts and programs are being undertaken to educate people about this danger to the declining race of the tiger. With the tiger becoming rarer, traders in Chinese medicine substitute tiger parts with those of other cats, such as the leopard and even the clouded leopard, which threatens the survival of those species also.
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