Conservation agency World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) estimates that the number of wild tigers has dropped by more than 40 per cent in the last 10 years to just 3,200.

Mr Michael Baltzer, leader of WWF's tiger initiative, said that China has seen an increase in demand for tiger parts because this year is the Year of the Tiger, and he would not be surprised to see this phenomenon in Singapore, or "any place with a large Chinese community".

If the illegal poaching goes on, there might not be any more tigers by the time the next tiger year comes around, he added.

Mr Chris Shepherd, senior programme officer of wildlife trade-monitoring network Traffic's South-east Asia branch, said: "Education is important... It's very worrying that demand for tiger parts increased because it is the Year of the Tiger.

"Stiffer penalties are needed to deter people from joining this trade, and more efforts must be put into clamping down on tiger- trade hubs."

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority said that it has been illegal to import and export tigers under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna since 1986.

Those convicted of doing so face a fine of $50,000 for each species, capped at $500,000, and/or two years' jail.

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