<
https://www.positive.news/environment/leopards-recover-in-zambia-as-communities-swap-skins-for-synthetics/>
"Big cat conservationists in Zambia say leopard numbers are rebounding thanks
in part to local communities swapping real furs for synthetic in traditional
ceremonies.
Leopards are revered by cultural and religious groups which use their prized
pelts as ceremonial regalia.
In western Zambia, during an annual event marking the onset of the flood
season, 200 paddlers ferry the king of the Lozi people, the Litunga, on a
barge. They wear skirts fashioned largely from leopard skins, and demand for
the striking outfits is believed to have been one of the drivers of leopard
poaching.
Now the tide appears to be turning following a programme led by the global wild
cat conservation organisation, Panthera.
Consulting with communities, the organisation sourced quality synthetic furs,
coined Heritage Furs, and secured a royal stamp of approval, with the Litunga
decreeing that only Heritage Furs should be worn in official ceremonies.
Across southern Africa, Panthera has supplied more than 22,000 Heritage Furs,
but in-depth evaluation of the initiative’s impact has been limited until now.
Fresh research published in the journal Conservation Biology shows that leopard
numbers in western Zambia are recovering, poaching incidents are down, and just
10% of the Litunga’s paddlers favour real furs over the alternative."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
