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Although it helps hide the cat from its prey, the cat's beautiful pelt makes it desirable prey for humans.
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The magnificent pelt of the snow leopard has undoubtedly led to the animal's decline. In the 1920s, over a thousand skins per year were exported from Asia to be made into coats for the rich. Although hunting these animals is no longer legal in most places, their pelts still appear in tourist shops in parts of China and Tibet. Poaching is hard to resist when a single pelt can provide a poor family with nearly a year's income. Snow leopards are also hunted for their bones, which are used in Chinese medicine.
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The clouded leopard is often hunted for its skin and its impressive teeth. In Asian markets, these are sold for decoration, and the bones are sold for traditional medicines. Clouded leopard meat has even appeared on the menus of tourist restaurants in Thailand and China.
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Produced by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation This page was made possible by a grant from Friskies PetCare Company and the National Science Foundation. All photographic images contained within these Web pages ARE COPYRIGHTED and may not be reproduced or utilized in any manner without the express written consent of the owner. Photograph of dead leopard courtesy Rodney Jackson/National Geographic © Rodney Jackson/National Geographic Asian market scene photograph by Jim Olson © Jim Olson Page design by Jim Angus |