IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Durham, M. | |
| Leopard in southern Africa reclassified to "Threatened" species | |
| 1982 Newspaper | |
The Interior Department's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reclassified the leopard from "endangered speciest1 status to the less grave category of "threatened species" in southern Africa, director Robert A. Jantzen announced today. "Studies of the leopard by four wildlife experts and information we have received from .African nations indicate that the leopard is not in danger of extinction in southern Africa," Jantzen said. "Biologically, it is more accurate to recognize the leopard as ' threatened ' than as 'endangered' in this region, and that is why we are making this change." Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, "endangered" means that a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. "Threatened" means that a species may become endangered in the foreseeable future. The reclassification was proposed in the March 24, 1980, Federal Register. Jantzen emphasized, however, that commercial trade in leopard parts and products, such as hides and fur coats, continues to be strictly prohibited. The decision, which followed more than 18 months of public review and comment, will allow American sport hunters to import leopard trophies legally taken in the region where the leopard is now listed as "threatened." Many wildlife authorities believe that allowing importation of legally taken leopard trophies will encourage conservation of the leopard because sport hunting provides jobs and income for Africans. Presently the leopard has no monetary value and is indiscriminately killed as vermin in many areas, particularly where it preys on livestock. |
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