Nine people have been arrested for participating in a grassroots campaign spreading across Tibet to save endangered wildlife. Reports indicate the nine people were detained for "campaigning to destroy clothes made of fur under foreign influences". The detentions occurred after they attended a public bonfire at the Kirti monastery in Amdo (northeast region of Tibet).  

Chinese authorities have cracked down on Tibetans for burning endangered animal skins and furs -- part of a widespread and growing campaign to promote wildlife protection and stop the illegal trade in endangered species. The public burnings of fox, otter, tiger and other skins and furs have largely taken place in Amdo, but have also been reported in Kham (southwest region of Tibet) and in Lhasa. 

The campaign, which has been widely covered by international media, started in early February following an appeal from the Dalai Lama to stop wearing furs and clothing made from endangered animals. The appeal was made last month at the Kalachakra initiation in Southern India, a religious ceremony that was attended by an estimated 10,000 Tibetans from Tibet. On the last day of the ceremony, the Dalai Lama spoke directly to Tibetans, saying “When you go back to your respective places, remember what I had said earlier and never use, sell, or buy wild animals, their products or derivatives."

According to TibetInfoNet, an independent information service on Tibet based in Germany: the appeal by the Dalai Lama prompted a grassroots education campaign on the issue. Following his statements, events organized jointly by environmental NGOs and a number of Tibetan associations recorded a large number of participants. Educational film screenings in eastern Tibetan dialects had to be repeated up to ten times. During such a screening session, a businessman from Lhasa declared that he possessed otter skins worth 40,000 Yuan in Tibet and promised to burn these publicly. Around 3,000 Tibetans from Tibet signed a pledge saying they would not wear, buy or sell animal products, which was presented to the Dalai Lama.

The public burnings began in northeastern Amdo in a small town called Tsodruk where more than 250 fox skins were set ablaze. On February 9th, the 14th day of the Amdo New Year, more than ten thousand Tibetans gathered at the Kirti Monastery in Amdo for a mass burning of giant piles of animal pelts and skins, and garments made from them. The enormous crowds that have gathered to take part in the public burnings has captured the attention of both the international community and the Chinese authorities in Tibet.  Bans have been placed on public burnings and the local security presence has been increased.

Now, as Tibetans assert their unity, their devotion to the Dalai Lama, and their dramatic commitment to wildlife protection, it's critical that their inspiring campaign be supported by the international community.

For more information on and anlysis of these events, please click on the links below.

Associated Press article, "Tibetans Burn Rare Animal Pelts, Skins".

SFT's blog has in depth analysis of the events in Tibet and links to several news articles covering the story.

Channel 4 TV (UK) report including footage from the bonfire at Kirti monastery smuggled out of Tibet.

TibetInfoNet in depth report on the issue.