A study conducted by the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC has revealed that an alarming number of leopards are victims of illegal trade in skins and body parts.
Researchers used statistical analysis to arrive at the figure of an “estimated 4.4 leopards” killed per week, compiled from 420 seizures of leopard parts in 209 localities for the period 2001 — 2010.
Northern India was found to be a “hotspot” for illegal trade in leopard parts, with Delhi identified as “the most important hub”, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. Seizures in Delhi accounted for 26.4 percent of the total number of leopards claimed by illegal trade. Karnataka is implicated in the south, where leopard trade is increasing.
While the overwhelming majority of seizures were comprised entirely of leopard skins, some of the incidents involved other body parts, such as claws and bones.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Leopard body parts are sometimes prescribed as substitutes for Tiger body parts and this persistent belief in traditions, whether medicinal or folkbased, that Leopard or other felid bones bring health or vigour to potential consumers, may further increase pressure on the Leopard.
Although leopard deaths caused by conflict with humans were not included in this report, it is “acknowledged that Leopards killed in conflict may end up in illegal trade” and “its linkages to illegal trade need to be studied in greater detail.” It is noteworthy that “human-leopard conflict hotspots” were also identified as “major sources for leopard parts.”
The year following the study period was also deadly for India’s leopards: In 2011, at least 186 leopards were killed for the illegal trade and 41 leopards were killed due to “conflicts” with humans.
Source: Raza, R.H.; Chauhan, D.S; Pasha, M.K.S & Sinha, S. (2012). Illuminating the blind spot: A study on illegal trade in Leopard parts in India (2001-2010). TRAFFIC India/WWF India. New Delhi, India.
Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
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Rhishja Cota
I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.