Snow Leopard Survival Strategy - Panthera

Reducing Poaching and Trade in Snow Leopard
Parts
Poaching and trade in snow leopard parts occurs for a
variety of reasons (retribution, economic, etc.) and it will
require an understanding of the forces involved to apply
the most appropriate counter measures.
Research required prior to taking action:
• Determine location, nature and extent of snow leopard
poaching for trade (this may be accomplished through
an Adaptive Management approach by immediate
establishment of anti-poaching activities and undercover
investigations).
• Understand poacher motivation (financial gain, threat
to livestock, etc.)
• Determine the nature of trade in snow leopard parts
including supply, demand, value, trade centers and
routes, participants (organized crime, government
officials/agencies, individuals), etc.
• Identify end consumers
Action
Guidelines
Policy level
Community level
Steps:
• Review and revise national laws on killing and trading
in endangered species
• Establish anti-poaching units with broad authority to
combat illegal trade
• Review national infrastructure, roles and responsibilities
among relevant governmental agencies (federal
vs. provincial, overlapping roles, gaps, etc)
• Launch awareness campaigns targeting decision makers
• Ensure national legislation meets requirements of international
conventions such as CITES and CMS and
is effectively implemented and enforced
• Make fines for violations substantial enough to be a
deterrent and provide for frequent review
• Enact “whistle-blower” laws
• Establish international information exchange mechanisms
among governments agencies and institutions
(CITES secretariat, Interpol) for cross-border enforcement
• Collect data on killing and trade in Snow Leopard and
its products
• Encourage range state that are not yet CITES parties
to accede
• Raise awareness of illegality of trade
in snow leopard parts, penalties,
• Raise awareness of “whistle-blower
laws” and potential for rewards for
information, establish simple procedures,
substantial rewards, and
safeguards for confidentiality
• Establish a locally based informant
ring where practical and socially acceptable
• Police market centers where pelts
and other body parts are being sold
• Raise awareness of the potential
value of live snow leopards to local
communities (ecotourism, etc.)
• Assess feasibility of proving alternative
income to poachers (e.g. work
as wildlife guards)
Stakeholders:
• Legislative branch of government
• National CITES Authorities
• Wildlife and Protected Area agencies
• Legal agencies
• Police and other law enforcement agencies
• Customs
• International and national NGO’s, Intergovernmental
organisations (IUCN)
• CITES Secretariat and other Parties
• Hunters
• Poachers in snow leopard parts
• Traders in snow leopard parts
• Visitors and foreign military
• Aid agency workers
40 | SNOW LEOPARD SURVIVAL STRATEGY