Shocking scale of market for tiger and leopard skins revealed

[Guest guest]

Shocking scale of market for tiger and leopard skins revealed

 

23rd September 2005

 

Dramatic new findings released today from investigations in China

and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) reveal the previously unknown

scale of the trade in tiger and leopard skins. Skins are being

openly traded in China and TAR on a scale that triggers real fear

over the future of the wild tiger.

 

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), who first pioneered

undercover investigation into crimes against wildlife and the

environment 21 years ago, and the Wildlife Protection Society of

India (WPSI) have just returned from investigations conducted in

August this year.

 

EIA and WPSI have obtained footage revealing the staggering size of

the market for tiger and leopard skins - much of which is being used

for costumes and ceremonial events. Investigators attended horse

festivals across the Tibetan plateau where many people, including

the organisers and officials, were wearing costumes decorated with

tiger and leopard skins, known locally as chubas. The costumes had

been bought within the last two years and the traders categorically

stated that the tiger skins had come from India.

 

Since EIA's visit last year, there has been a massive increase in

the availability of tiger and leopard skins in Lhasa, TAR. In the 46

shops surveyed, 54 leopard skin chubas and 24 tiger skin chubas were

openly displayed, 7 whole fresh leopard skins were presented for

sale and, within the space of 24 hours, investigators were offered

three whole, fresh tiger skins.

 

In one street alone in Linxia, China, more than 60 whole snow

leopard and over 160 fresh leopard skins were openly on display -

with many more skins rolled up in the back. The investigators also

found over 1,800 otter skins, which are also used to decorate

costumes.

 

The quantity and blatant display of tiger and leopard skins in TAR

and China demonstrates a lack of awareness among consumers about the

plight of the tiger, and the urgent need for targeted enforcement to

stop traders from smuggling and illegally selling the skins of

tigers and leopards.

 

Belinda Wright, WPSI's Executive Director said:

 

" This is the first time that the sheer scale and seriousness of the

problem has been exposed. The volume of skins openly for sale is

shocking. It is a thriving, uncontrolled market, which may explain

the increased poaching of tigers in India that has left at least one

tiger reserve devoid of tigers and four others almost empty. "

Huge seizures of tiger, leopard and otter skins in India and Nepal

indicate the existence of highly organised criminal networks behind

the skin trade. They operate across borders, smuggling skins from

India through Nepal into China, and continue to evade the law.

 

Debbie Banks, EIA's Senior Campaigner, stated:

 

" In the last five years, the international community has seen the

trade in tiger and leopard skins spiral out of control. If this

trade continues unabated for another five years, it will be the end

for the wild tiger. It is imperative that the Indian and Chinese

governments stop this trade now, before time runs out. "

 

EIA and WPSI appeal to the Tibetan people to stop wearing endangered

tiger and leopard skins, and urge international organisations to

support awareness initiatives to get the message to consumers as

fast as possible.

 

EIA and WPSI are calling on the Indian government to immediately

establish a professionally-led enforcement unit to target the

wildlife criminals who are controlling the trade, and the Chinese

government to undertake enforcement actions to stop the smugglers

and traders of tiger and leopard skins.

 

To find out more about EIA visit http://www.eia-international.org

To find out more about WPSI visit http://www.wpsi-india.org