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Berger, J., Buuveibaatar, B., Mishra, C. (). Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia. Conservation Biology, 27(4), 679–689.
Abstract: As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and
human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has
indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry
creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central
Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which
affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized
that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland
where cashmere-producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass
of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis.
In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3-fold increase in local profits for
herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica). That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries
fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4-fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) in trans-Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China’s Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), khulan (Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic-level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere.
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Khan, J. (2002). Availability of snow leopard pelt in Pakistan.
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Maming, R. (2012). Market prices for the tissues and organs of snow leopards in China. Selevinia, (20), 119–122.
Abstract: The population of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is plummeting as waterfall in
the last ten years. The illegal trade of snow leopard products is one of the fatal
factors. The biggest range and the biggest population of snow leopard both are in
China, and the largest trade is also in the country. Through questionnaires and
investigation with informants from 2002 to 2012, a lot of data were collected
through variety ways in different regions. In this paper 387 cases of snow leopard
poaching including smuggling routes, product list, price system and product usages
from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were collected for analysis and discussion. In
the face of rapid development in the west of China, the results showed that our
government did not try to protect the snow leopards, and the text of law was
practically useless. International organizations such as WWF, WCS, IUCN, PANTHERA,
SLT & SLN with SLSS were also powerless and helpless to stop snow leopard poaching
and trading. As a result, the fate of the snow leopard is very bad, and this is
worrying.
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Manati, A. R. (2008). Fur trade of large cats and the question of the subspecies status of leopards in Afghanistan (Der Handel mit Fellen von Grosskatzen und die Abklärung der Unterartenfrage beim. Germany: University of Köln.
Abstract: Over a time of four years the bazars of Afghanistan were surveyed for furs of spotted wild cats, in particular leopards and snow leopards. In 2004 in Kabul a total of 28 furs of leopards were purchased by shopkeepers and 21 sold at an average price of 825 $. In the same year 25 furs of snow leopards were purchased and 19 sold to clients at an average price of 583 $. In 2006 at a single inspection double as many furs of leopards were found to be offered for sale in comparison to the whole year of 2004. Also prices had increased over the two years by 20 % to an average of 1037 $. Similarly the number of furs of snow leopards at 21 pieces was higher than in 2004, and the prices had increased to an average of 652 $. In 2007 investigations rendered more difficult, because the authorities had started to control the fur trade, and the results are not unequivocal. Clients were without any exception foreigners.
Surveys in 2004 in Mazar-e-Sharif, Kunduz, Takhar and Faiz Abad, in 2006 additionally in Baharak and Iskashem in the province of Badakhshan, revealed a regular trade in furs of spotted cats, however not as extensive as in Kabul. The most interesting finding was a fur of a cheetah in Mazar-e-Sharif, the first record of this species after 35 years.
From the surveys can be concluded that leopards still exist in the whole range of its distribution area in Afghanistan. However they don't allow any conclusion on the population size and its threat by hunting. In contrast to the leopard there exists a recent estimation of the population size of the snow leopard, saying that there are still 100 to 200 snow leopards living in Afghanistan. On the basis of these figures as well as the numbers of furs traded annually a Population and Habitat Viability Analysis was conducted. The result of this analysis is alarming. It has to be assumed that the snow leopard will be extinct in Afghanistan within the next ten years. To improve the protection of spotted cats in Afghanistan it needs both, a better implementation of the existing legislation as well as an awareness campaign among potential clients, i. e. foreigners living in Afghanistan.
The second part of this thesis deals with the question of subspecies of leopards in Afghanistan. Out of the 27 subspecies described four are believed to exist in Afghanistan. However, according to a molecularbiological revision of the species there occurs only one subspecies in Afghanistan, Panthera pardus saxicolor. To clarify the subspecies question various measures of furs had been taken in the bazars. The results revealed that the leopards in Afghanistan are the biggest of its species. However a further differentiation according to the area of origin within the country was not possible. Also the traditional differentiation on the basis of colours and patterns on the furs was not possible.
In contrast to the molecularbiological investigations published not only samples of zoo animals were available in this study but also samples from the wild. The own results confim that almost all leopards from Afghanistan and Iran belong to one and the same subspecies, P. p. saxicolor. Only in the most eastern part of Afghanistan, the Indian leopard, Panthera pardus fusca, can be found. The International Studbook for the Persian Leopard was analysed. The whole population derives from a few founder animals, which were imported in the midth fifties from Iran and in the late sixties from Afghanistan. To avoid inbreeding later on the Iranian and the Afghan lines were mixed. A female imported in 1968 from Kabul to Cologne is represented in each of the more than 100 today living animals.Mixing the two lines subsequently is justified by the genetic results of this study. Recently acquired animals from the Caucasus, however, should be tested genetically before integrating them into the zoo population.
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Maheshwari, A., Niraj, S. K. (2018). Monitoring illegal trade in snow leopards: 2003e2014. Elsevier, , 1–6.
Abstract: Illegal trade in snow leopards (Panthera uncia) has been identified as one of the major
threats to long-term survival of the species in the wild. To quantify severity of the threats
to dwindling snow leopard population, we examined market and questionnaire surveys,
and information from the published and unpublished literature on illegal trade and
poaching of snow leopards.We collected information from 11 of the 12 snow leopard range
counties in central and southern Asia, barring Kazakhstan, and reported 439 snow leopards
(88 records) in illegal trade during 2003e2014, which represents a loss of approximately
8.4%e10.9% snow leopard population (assuming mid-point population of 5240 to
minimum population of 4000 individuals) in a period of 12 years. Our data suggested a 61%
decadal increase in snow leopard trade during 2003e2012 compared with 1993e2002,
while taking the note of significant strengthening of wildlife enforcement and crime
control network in the decades of 2000s and 2010s. We found 50% prosecution rate of
snow leopard crimes resulting in only 20% conviction rate globally. Many limitations e.g.,
secretive nature of illegal trade, ill developed enforcement mechanism, poor and passive
documentation of snow leopards' seizures, restricted us to reflect actual trend of snow
leopards' illegal trade. Even on a conservative scale the present situation is alarming and
may detrimental to snow leopard conservation. We propose an effective networking of
enforcement efforts and coordination among the law enforcement agencies, efficient
collection of data and data management, and sharing of intelligence in snow leopard range
countries, could be useful in curbing illegal trade in snow leopards in central and southern
Asia.
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Hongfa, X. and K., C. (2006). The State of Wildlife Trade in China. Information on the trade in wild animals and plants in China 2006..
Abstract: Welcome to the first edition of The State of Wildlife Trade in China. This publication takes a broad look at wildlife trade over the past year, particularly concerning the impact of China's consumption on globally important biodiversity 'hotspots'. The focus of The State of Wildlife Trade in China is on emerging trends in China's wildlife trade and up-to-date reviews of work to stop illegal wildlife trade and support sustainable trade. The lead story in this issue is the illegal trade in Tigers and other Asian big cats. During 2006, surveys continued to document this illegal trade, as well as highlight opportunities for action. Other stories in this issue give updates on trade in reef fishes from Southeast Asia's 'Coral Triangle' and in timber from the forests of the Russian Far East, Borneo, and East Africa. China's wildlife trade presents both challenges and opportunities. This annual report aims to provide current information about wildlife trade in China and to provide avenues for involvement in China's conservation community. It is part of TRAFFIC's on-going commitment to turn information into action.
Keywords: clouded leopard, economy, illegal killing, leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, Panthera pardus, Panthera tigris, poaching, policy, snow leopard, tiger, trade, TRAFFIC, Uncia uncia
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Friends of the Earth. (1981). Like the coat? The last owner was killed in it..
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Aizim B.M., S. E. D. (1969). Snow leopard Felis uncia Schreb.
Abstract: It says about snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan, its distribution, number, food, reproduction, and hunting behavioral patterns, and encounters with human beings. The only enemy of snow leopard is man. From economic point of view snow leopard is of interest only in terms of catching the animals for zoo-export. The skin of snow leopard in commercial trade is of negligent importance. Local population uses the skins for decorating walls, tailoring man's fur coats and sometimes as floor carpets.
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Aizin B.M. (1974). Distribution, number and seasonal behavioral patterns of Panthera uncia Scheber in Kyrgyzstan (Vol. Vol. 1.).
Abstract: In Kyrgyzstan, snow leopard can be met almost in all mountain ridges (Kok-Kiya, Atbasha, Kyrgyz, Terskey, Kungei, Talas, Chatkal, Alai, Zaalai), where it keeps to alpine meadow, woodless rock and snowfield zones. The number of snow leopard does not exceed 1,500 animals. Seven to 10 animals are annually caught for the needs of zoo-export.
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Aizin B.M. (1979). Rare predatory mammal species and their protection in Kyrgyzstan.
Abstract: Snow leopard is met in all mountain ridges in Kyrgyzstan. Every year 7 10 animals are caught for the purpose of zoo export. Total population of snow leopard in the country does not exceed 1,400 animals.
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