Illicit tiger trade in Burma

Below is a series of photographs documenting the illegal trade of exotic animals in the village of Mong La, Burma. Tigers, leopards, jaguars and other magnificent specimen are poached in the Burmese forests, and taken to the town's local markets to be sold.

Dealers, collectors and tourists are some of the potential buyers.

The tiger populations have decreased of 97 per cent over the last 100 years. These animals are at high risk of extinction. It is not only dealers and poachers who are responsible for the extermination. What makes their business profitable is collectors, tourists and all those people who, although not involved in the practical crime of killing these animals, seek for and buy skins or other body parts.

(Photographs source, The Guardian - The entire reportage is available here)