Targeted poaching of lions for body parts, such as teeth and claws, is increasing, according to a new study by Panthera, a partner of the Lion Recovery Fund. An article from Africa Geographic describes the findings of heightened poaching of lions in Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, where trade in body parts accounts for 61% of lion mortalities.
“The targeted poaching of lions has been an incipient threat to lions for some time, but is now emerging as a serious issue for the species in certain parts of Africa. This poses a real concern from a conservation perspective because if this threat spreads, it would represent a truly existential threat to an already embattled species,” says Dr. Peter Lindsey, Director of the Lion Recovery Fund.
Read the full Africa Geographic story here
Learn more about LRF projects combating the lion body part trade here, here, and here.