Tighter controls needed to curb increasing threats to snow leopards

The study, Fading Footprints: The Killing and Trade of Snow Leopards shows that the driving forces behind the illegal killing of snow leopards vary from region to region, with the species and its parts being traded in all its range states with the possible exception of Bhutan.

This is despite the fact that the species is listed in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix 1, which prohibits all commercial international trade of the animal.

The report clearly shows that killing for trade is the biggest threat to snow leopards in the central Asian region and the Russian Federation. In the Himalayan region the main threat identified is conflict between snow leopards and herders, who kill the cats to protect their livestock, but the parts often end up in trade.

Stephanie Theile, author of the report and Programme Officer of TRAFFIC Europe said, ' There is an urgent need for range states to address the gaps in their legislation for snow leopards and increase their enforcement efforts. It is also vital to provide economic incentives for snow leopard conservation to the herders who live in the animal's range.'

The report also shows that a portion of the goods from trade in snow leopards and their parts end up in non-range states, such as Europe and the Middle East. Foreign visitors in range states, including tourists and military personnel, form another distinct group that purchase snow leopards parts.

Pelts are the main product in demand, with prices ranging from tens of US dollars, as reported by hunters in Nepal, to thousands of US dollars, as reported on the black market in Kazakhstan. Illegal trade also occurs in live snow leopards and other body parts such as teeth, nails, meat, as well as bone, which are feeding into traditional Asian medicine markets, but on a much smaller scale.

'WWF is taking active steps to address the rising level of threat to snow leopards,' said Dr. Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF's international Species Programme. ' In Mongolia, for example, WWF supports Snow Leopard Enterprises, a non-profit handicraft enterprise founded by the International Snow Leopard Trust, offering herders an opportunity to increase their income in return for protecting the snow leopard. WWF Mongolia has also initiated an anti-poaching team.'

A groundbreaking global initiative to improve snow leopard conservation is underway through development of the Snow Leopard Survival Strategy. 'More than 70 conservationists from 18 countries helped develop the strategy - providing us with a clear plan to ensure the survival of the snow leopard,' reported Brad Rutherford, Executive Director of the International Snow Leopard Trust.

TRAFFIC, WWF and the International Snow Leopard Trust believe concerted global conservation efforts will help ensure survival of this highly endangered species, and achieve long-term solutions for sustainable livelihoods of those local communities in the range states who coexist with the snow leopard.