Leopards in danger of extinction

Leopards in danger of extinction

The Issue

This year the WPSI has reported 134 deaths due to poaching.

According to the WPSI, which works with government enforcement agencies to apprehend tiger and leopard poachers and traders, these figures represent only a fraction of the actual poaching and trade in leopard parts in India.

India has strong laws, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to protect wild animals, birds and plants.

Decline in forest cover and human pressure on land is forcing the leopard to prey on domestic animals. In retaliation, farmers are poisoning carcasses that leopards feed on, causing many more deaths

Poachers are also taking advantage of the situation since there is hardly any possibility of getting tiger skins or parts these days. Therefore, they are settling for the leopard. If you look at the quantum of seizures from poachers by the authorities, for every two tiger skins there are at least 20 leopard skins.

 

Leopard poaching statistics 1994-2010 :  http://www.wpsi-india.org/statistics/leopard.php

http://sify.com/news/three-held-with-leopard-skins-news-national-khhtaeigfca.html

Two more leopard skins seized in Uttarakhand: http://www.wpsi-india.org/news/09072010.php

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/leopards-in-danger-of-extinction-experts-1.654996

 

This petition had 631 supporters

The Issue

This year the WPSI has reported 134 deaths due to poaching.

According to the WPSI, which works with government enforcement agencies to apprehend tiger and leopard poachers and traders, these figures represent only a fraction of the actual poaching and trade in leopard parts in India.

India has strong laws, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to protect wild animals, birds and plants.

Decline in forest cover and human pressure on land is forcing the leopard to prey on domestic animals. In retaliation, farmers are poisoning carcasses that leopards feed on, causing many more deaths

Poachers are also taking advantage of the situation since there is hardly any possibility of getting tiger skins or parts these days. Therefore, they are settling for the leopard. If you look at the quantum of seizures from poachers by the authorities, for every two tiger skins there are at least 20 leopard skins.

 

Leopard poaching statistics 1994-2010 :  http://www.wpsi-india.org/statistics/leopard.php

http://sify.com/news/three-held-with-leopard-skins-news-national-khhtaeigfca.html

Two more leopard skins seized in Uttarakhand: http://www.wpsi-india.org/news/09072010.php

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/leopards-in-danger-of-extinction-experts-1.654996

 

The Decision Makers

Jairam Ramesh
Jairam Ramesh
The Minister of Environment and Forests of India

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Petition created on July 21, 2010