Leopard Poaching
Since hundreds of thousands of leopards were killed for their beautiful fur in 1960s and early 1970s and the loss of their habitats, the leopard population decreased significantly in the 1960s and early 1970s. Some subspecies of leopards were in the vulnerable or endangered status. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) banned the sale of leopard skins in July, 1975. The hunting of leopards has been prohibited by law in most countries since then; but leopard poaching, or illegal hunting, is still the biggest threat to the survival of some leopard subspecies.
Leopards are often poached for their beautiful spotted fur. Because coats of leopard fur are very expensive, poachers are willing to risk getting arrested and punished. In recent years, however, the wearing of leopard coats has become less popular as awareness about the endangered status of leopards has increased.
The poaching of leopards continues even with the reduced interest in leopard furs. The other parts of a leopard’s body, such as the teeth, claws, bones, and whiskers, are even more valuable today than leopard furs. These body parts are essential ingredients in some Asian medicines.
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