Like many types of big cats, leopards are actively threatened by commercialization. If they are alive or dead, they are subject to trade to satisfy The demand for exotic pets is increasingOr use their bones, skulls and skins in traditional medicine, luxury products or cups.
May 3, International Leopard Day, the World Organization for the Protection of Animus Focus on the exploitation of leopards in the world trade. “It is sad to see how you are Classic creatures They have become mere products, ”says Vanessa Amoroso, president of the four paws of wild animals.
The leopard is killing as an alternative
With the growing international requirement of the LTTE, other large cats, such as leopards, are increasingly attracting attention Hunters and hijackers The four feet of wild animals say.
Bones, teeth and other body parts, have been misinfolined as coming from the tigers Wild animals markets from Asia Turn them into traditional medicine, luxury accessories, cups and more.
Must have the strict security of the International Trade Conference, despite the pressure on their wild people The threatened species of wildlife and plants (cites)According to the CITES database, about 12,000 leopards and their parts are trading between 2020 and 2023 worldwide.
“Panthers across Africa, the Middle East and Asia have lost about 75% of their natural habitats Habitat destruction and hunting“Says Vanessa Amoroso.” When the population of large wild cats is on the brink of extinction, others are grown in reproductive facilities Was marketed worldwideAlive or parts of your body. “
South Africa is an important actor in the world trade of big cats
Despite the international study, South Africa plays an important role in continuing and feeding The world is needed for big cats And parts of their body. This intense reproductive industry, which is captured, allows you to bloom under its ineffective law, from four feet.
TheBreak the group’s wikus cycle propaganda (to break the evil circle) The leading share of South Africa Business exploitation and trade of species of large cats. “The safety of big cats is not the same worldwide, it varies from one country to another. It can vary even between the species of large cats,” says Vanessa Amoroso.
“Wild animal smugglers are aware of it. Always search Easy solutions to make money. If it is very complicated to get a tiger, they will go to quickly accessible and low -protected alternatives. “
“Four feet are urging governments around the world to comply with international standards Wild animal protectionOvarian As quoted, the conclusion of transportation and exploitation with wild animals for profitable purposes, ”says the lover.
Sanctuary of the great cats for the threatened leopards
Four feet support the protection of large cats at the LionSarak Great Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. It was created to provide a better offer in 2006, nearly two decades ago The traumatic cats were recovered Exploitation with appropriate care for its species.
Two of his first people were leopard Mike and Tulani. After recovered in 2006, they are now a senior couple in LionSarak. Tulani was born in a South African Safaris farm in 2002 and its previous owner before buying it The puppy should keep her a pet. Mike was a wild leopard, which was captured and was caught.
Although the leopard is lonely, Tulani and Mike quickly found comfort in their mutual company. Almost twenty years have passed but the two leopards are still found together Enjoying the African sun.
