RESULTS - Historical data from CITES regarding the export of leopard trophies
Using historical information to assist with improving
management of leopard trophy hunting
What has become clear in the last two months is that there is a wealth of both historical and current information that can be analysed to help assess the sustainability of the current system of leopard trophy hunting in Zimbabwe. The PWMA holds records of all CITES tags issued, many of them associated with an area within Zimbabwe. Since 2004 and the introduction of the TR2 form, there is also some information available regarding the trophy size of leopards exported. Many operators and Professional hunters keep their own records of the size of leopard trophies and we hope that we can access this information.
In addition, the CAMPFIRE Association and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) have records of leopards reported as problem animals in areas under the CAMPFIRE programme.
The project hopes to have collated and analysed as much historical information as possible by the end of 2008, working with the PWMA, CAMPFIRE and WWF. In addition Roseline Mandisodza from the PWMA will determine what legislation is current with regard to the utilisation of leopard, both as trophy and problem animals, and what remains policy rather than legislation. By the end of 2008 we should be able to present a clearer picture of where leopards have been and continue to be hunted, compare trophy size across land uses, and look at gaps that are present in the legislation. All of this work will help the PWMA to improve management of leopard hunting in the country.
