IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Jackson, P.; Bell, R.; Borner, M.; Bothma, J.du P.; Caughley, G.; Hestbeck, J.B.; Leyhausen, P.; Mendelssohn, H.; Norton, P.M.; Ranjitsinh, M.K.; Shoemaker, A.H.; Singh, A.; Swank, W.; Walker, C.; Wilson, V.J.; Martin, R.B. | |
| A review by leopard specialists of The Status of Leopard in Sub-Saharan Africa by Martin and de Meulenaer | |
| 1989 Full Book | |
Leading leopard specialist members of the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group and other experts have reviewed the SURVEY OF THE STATUS OF LEOPARD IN SUB-SAHARA AFRICA by Martin and de Meulenaer. They all reject the computer estimates of leopard numbers in Africa, although they generally agree that there are still many leopards, especially in certain areas. Most reviewers felt they lacked competence to criticize the computer model as such, but, in common with those who are expert, they challenged the data input. The basic relationship claimed between rainfall and prey and, therefore, leopard populations, was discounted for several specific types of habitat and areas. Reviewers with extensive field experience in leopard habitat declared that no leopard survive in many areas assumed to be suitable in the model. Where estimates of leopard numbers in specific places have been made by the reviewers they are generally less than half those predicted by the computer model. Eight reviewers firmly opposed moving the leopard from Appendix I to App II of CITES. Four were in favour, but recommended rigorous controls, with exploitation restricted to trophy hunting. Four did not express a clear opinion, but appeared to favour App. II with appropriate controls. There was no sentiment in favour of reopening commerce in skins. However, several reviewers considered that trophy hunting, properly controlled, was both possible and even advisable. Fears were expressed that leopards in areas where they were already endangered, such as in parts of Asia, might be critically threatened by poaching, even if they remained under complete legal protection, because of the difficulty of distinguishing subspecies. |
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