Tiger bone wine and the endangered tigers

In 1993
China established
that using Tiger bones
to make a wine
was now just not acceptable
but despite this legislation
the wine is sold
and I suppose it is because
the people want that tonic
that their ancestors proclaimed
to be the cure all all
and perhaps
investing in a bottle
will prevent their early deaths
and this is why most
keep it under wraps
but go out in Beijing
and you will find it
established brands
are clearly on the street
the market in this truly
endangered species
is carrying on despite
what seems some heat
coming from the international circuit
the animal rights and the
endangered news we know
there are now so few
wild tigers left alive
most in fact live in
a Chinese Zoo
China has about 5000
animals
in farms around its country
and we see
tourists flocking
here and there to see them
and if the tigers die
the bones now be
sold off it is thought
to the highest bidder
and end up in the
process and the wine
but a lot of tigers
are still being poached
around the world
and the production chain
is clearly fine
people close their eyes
and fail to see it
but with the amount of money
in the pot
everyone is happy
except the tigers
endangered and exploited
such a lot.

China has its international reputation
its joined up to protecting them
but seems
to be between the rocks
and its own hard place
and tiger bone wine
occupies its dreams
which could turn into nightmares
if it straddles
both camps and allows
the tigers to be killed
it may
come unstuck for
there is a growing
feeling that tiger bone winr
has now had its day.

*Available in Beijing
at prices from £60 to £500
dependant on how long the bones have been
soaked in the liquor