Key Features Of The Big Cat Skin And Bone Trade In China
This fact sheet outlines current trends in both the legal and illegal trade of Asian Big Cats (ABCs) in China. As of 2011, skins and parts of many ABCs were being sold and openly displayed in China. The parts sold and purchased varies by region and has shifted over time. This fact sheet provides a summary of major findings from EPA investigations, but does not provide analysis of the issue.
Selected findings from Report:
- “Since March 2010, reported seizures in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Russia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka account for the poaching and trafficking of at least 308 Asian big cats, destined for markets in China. This is likely to be the minimum.”
- “Skins are smuggled through mountain passes into Tibet/Western China, often via well-used routes.”
- “Key towns identified by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) as ABC retail hotspots include Lhasa (TAR), Shigatse (TAR), Xining (Qi), Linxia (Gan), Litang (Si), Nagchu (TAR), Songpan (TAR) Kangding (Si).”
- “Tibetan community no longer major buyers of skins and bones, but are involved in trade.
Prior to 2006 Tibetan community were major purchasers of skins for use in chupa – traditional costume. This market largely collapsed in 2006-2007 following calls from HH Dalai Lama, though in areas where HH Dalai Lama is not followed (Shigatse) some residual use remains.” - “Leopard and snow leopard skins often displayed openly. Tiger skins always hidden. Photos sometimes displayed. Requesting detail may lead to being taken to third location.”
- “6000 captive-bred tigers in China. It is not known how many leopards.”
- “Packaged tiger bone products have been found outside of China as recently as 2010.”