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As An African Religion Grows, So Does Leopard Poaching

Much of the trade in illegal animal parts is due to false beliefs that rhino horn or tiger penises cure ailments, but here's another curious facet: in Southern Africa, leopard skins are in increasingly high demand thanks to the growth of a local...
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Much of the trade in illegal animal parts is due to false beliefs that rhino horn or tiger penises cure ailments, but here’s another curious facet: in Southern Africa, leopard skins are in increasingly high demand thanks to the growth of a local religion.

The Nazareth Baptist Church is one of the largest traditional religions in Africa, with around five million members. The church, also known as the Shembe, is a blend of Christianity and Zulu culture whose elders wear leopard pelts as a sign of wealth and honor. The issue is one of numbers: the church has a large following, and it’s growing bigger, which means a large demand for the skins of the big cats.

According to a CNN report accompanying the above video:

Besides being killed by farmers trying to protect their livestock, 150 leopards are legally targeted by trophy hunters each year. But increasingly poachers kill them to profit from their use in traditional medicine and ceremonial dress. “What we are finding is that they are actually being targeted, instead of it being by-catch from the illegal bush meat trade,” Dickerson said. “They are actually putting poisons out to target leopards because there is such a high demand for leopard skins now.” The feline species is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, and the sale or possession of its parts is illegal in South Africa. Those who wear it as traditional gear, including Zulu royalty and high-profile individuals like President Jacob Zuma, are required to have permits issued by the state. But at Shembe church gatherings, trade in skins is done openly with no law enforcement.

According to the IUCN Red List, leopard populations rebounded in the 90s, and in 2002 the species was listed as “least concern” on the IUCN list. Panthers have since been downgraded to “near threatened,” which reflects declining populations that are partially due to hunting and poaching (along with the usual host of environmental factors). Efforts to develop replacement skins haven’t gained traction, which means demand for the real deal isn’t likely going to decline any time soon. Thankfully, leopard populations right now aren’t on the brink of doom like many other cats are. But hunting limits exist for a reason, and poaching is only going to push leopards closer to the edge.