Trade in tigers and other wild cats in Mong La and Tachilek, Myanmar – A tale of two border towns

Nijman, Vincent; Shepherd, Chris R.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2014.10.031

Cited by 47 publications

(36 citation statements)

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“…Irrespective of its true scale, illegal activity involving clouded leopard derivatives is prevalent in all range states and can be openly observed at markets where enforcement is either weak or lacking (e.g. Nijman and Shepherd 2015). Markets located in remote and lawless areas including porous international borders (e.g.…”

Section: Illegal Poaching For Derivativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Salter 1983;Nowell 1990;Low 1991;Nijman and Shepherd 2015). Similarly, researchers have also documented trade in their bones for medicines, meat for exotic dishes and live animals for use in the exotic pet trade (Nowell and Jackson 1996;Sanderson et al 2008;Nijman and Shepherd 2015;Harrington 2015). A recent survey of illegal big cat derivatives at selected markets in Myanmar revealed clouded leopards to be the most frequently traded species of big cat (482 individuals) (Nijman and Shepherd 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, researchers have also documented trade in their bones for medicines, meat for exotic dishes and live animals for use in the exotic pet trade (Nowell and Jackson 1996;Sanderson et al 2008;Nijman and Shepherd 2015;Harrington 2015). A recent survey of illegal big cat derivatives at selected markets in Myanmar revealed clouded leopards to be the most frequently traded species of big cat (482 individuals) (Nijman and Shepherd 2015). As a source of comparison, researchers found clouded leopard trade to be more than double that observed for tigers at these locations (Panthera tigris) (207 individuals) (Nijman and Shepherd 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent survey of illegal big cat derivatives at selected markets in Myanmar revealed clouded leopards to be the most frequently traded species of big cat (482 individuals) (Nijman and Shepherd 2015). As a source of comparison, researchers found clouded leopard trade to be more than double that observed for tigers at these locations (Panthera tigris) (207 individuals) (Nijman and Shepherd 2015). As such, this trade raises concern for both clouded leopard conservation and welfare.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Clouded in mystery: the global trade in clouded leopards

D’Cruze

Macdonald

2015

Biodivers Conserv

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In the first global review focused specifically on clouded leopard trade, we assess its impact on the basis of information gathered from annual CITES reports, literature and expert opinion. Although international and domestic trade regulations are in place, in 'exceptional circumstances' trade in Asian big cats is legally permitted. More generally, and irrespective of its legal status, trade also has potential to compromise wild animal welfare. We report an apparent shift toward commercial trade in captive bred clouded leopards, trade irregularities that point toward possible laundering of wild caught animals, and document the presence of individuals on 'tiger farms' in south-east Asia and a 'lion park' in South Africa. We found CITES records contradictory and incomplete, with data on source country particularly lacking. This study highlights 'legal loopholes' that apply to all Asian big cat species. As a precautionary measure, we support calls to extend existing bans on Asian big cat trade so that they include commercial trade in captive bred individuals. Illegal trade in derivatives can openly be observed online and at wildlife markets in range countries where enforcement is weak. However, an energetic search has revealed that specific information regarding clouded leopards is lacking. We argue that this is not grounds for complacency, but rather suggests a need for research into trade dynamics, cooperation between national enforcement agencies, improved compliance with trade data management systems, the destruction of private held stockpiles and the revision of existing legal frameworks to prevent illegal trade in these and other threatened wild felids.Communicated by Dirk Sven Schmeller.Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article

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Section: Illegal Poaching For Derivativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Clouded in mystery: the global trade in clouded leopards

D’Cruze

Macdonald

2015

Biodivers Conserv

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Occupancy, density, and activity patterns of a Critically Endangered leopard population on the Kawthoolei‐Thailand border

Montgomery¹,

Stokes²,

K'lu³

et al. 2023

Population Ecology

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Large carnivores have been largely extirpated from Southeast Asia due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and poaching. Estimating the density of endangered carnivore populations, and identifying relationships between species occupancy and both environmental and anthropogenic factors, is essential for effective conservation planning. Recently, the IUCN conservation status of the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) was upgraded to “Critically Endangered.” We surveyed Kweekoh Wildlife Sanctuary in Kawthoolei, an area administered by the Karen ethnic group in eastern Myanmar, to quantify (1) leopard population density using spatially explicit mark‐resight (SMR) models, (2) leopard occupancy as influenced by important ecological variables, and (3) potential differences in activity between melanistic and spotted leopard morphs. Leopard density was estimated to be 1.39 ± SE 0.22/100 km2. Leopard occupancy (ψ = 0.43; 95% credible interval: 0.26–0.67) increased further from roads, at relatively higher elevations, and in areas with higher relative abundance of wild boar. Leopard activity was cathemeral, with higher activity during night hours, and significant overlap (Δ = 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.71–0.96) between melanistic and spotted morphs. However, melanistic leopards were more active during twilight hours than spotted individuals whose activity did not significantly vary throughout the day. Indochinese leopard density estimates in Kweekoh were among the lowest reported from Southeast Asia. Leopard occupancy was highest in the sanctuary's core areas, suggesting the presence of negative anthropogenic impacts along the sanctuary borders. We suggest our low density estimates warrant immediate and decisive conservation action, including better protection for leopards, their habitat, and their prey.

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Distribution of the Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) and variations in its coat morphology in China

Duan,

Zhu,

Wang

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Of the 12 wild felid species found in China, Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) is one of the least studied species. This medium‐sized cat with a prominently polymorphic coat was once distributed across much of southern China, but is believed to have experienced severe decline and range contraction during the past decades, primarily due to anthropogenic pressures. A lack of knowledge of its current distribution, ecology, and natural history has greatly hindered the implementation of conservation and management actions for this species. In this study, for the first time, we compiled the state‐wide occurrence records (N = 409), mainly from the camera‐trapping surveys, of Asiatic golden cats from 2008 to 2019, and predicted its distribution across the country through species distribution modeling using random forest algorithm. The results showed that the predicted habitats were mainly located in southwest China and suggested a rather low probability of possible current distribution across its vast historic range in central, eastern, and southern China. We divided its current range into four geographic regions (i.e., Qinling Mountains, Hengduan Mountains, East Himalayas, and southern Yunnan region) and considered the cats in each region as a regional population within the country. From the 287 camera‐trapping detections with photographs and/or videos collected across all populations, we identified six coat morphs and determined their occurrence percentages: common golden (47.4%), spotted (20.9%), red (13.6%), dark cinnamon (10.1%), melanistic (7.0%), and gray (1.0%). The complexity of coat morph composition within regional populations showed an increasing gradient from northeast to southwest. Among the four regional populations, the East Himalayas hosted the highest abundance and coat variation with all six morphs recorded. Our study results update the current distribution and coat morphology variations of this elusive cat in China and provide important knowledge to guide future research and conservation planning for this threatened species.

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Trade in tigers and other wild cats in Mong La and Tachilek, Myanmar – A tale of two border towns

Cited by 47 publications

References 8 publications

Clouded in mystery: the global trade in clouded leopards

Clouded in mystery: the global trade in clouded leopards

Occupancy, density, and activity patterns of a Critically Endangered leopard population on the Kawthoolei‐Thailand border

Distribution of the Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) and variations in its coat morphology in China

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