Ban on leopard hunting imposed by South Africa

In a decision hailed by conservation activists, South Africa has imposed a year-long ban on leopard hunting.

A leopard in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa. Image by Jae / CC BY-SA 2.0

The move was made on recommendations from South Africa’s scientific authority, which suggested an intervention was needed to ensure the survival of the leopard population. According to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), South Africa is permitted to allocate 150 permits each year for trophy-hunting leopards destined for export. The exact size of the leopard population in South Africa is unknown, as the animals range over huge areas and are both secretive and mainly nocturnal. The ban will be reviewed at the end of 2016.

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