See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326610549 A note on felid trade at local markets in Myanmar Article · July 2018 CITATION READS 1 59 3 authors, including: Neil D'Cruze David Macdonald World Animal Protection University of Oxford 51 PUBLICATIONS 476 CITATIONS 1,305 PUBLICATIONS 35,048 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Developing a unified framework for understanding human-wildlife conflict in South America View project Protection of Livestock and Conservation of Large Carnivores View project All content following this page was uploaded by Neil D'Cruze on 25 July 2018. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. ISSN 1027-2992 CATnewsN° 67 | Spring 2018 02 CATnews is the newsletter of the Cat Specialist Group, Editors: Christine & Urs Breitenmoser a component of the Species Survival Commission SSC of the Co-chairs IUCN/SSC International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is pub- Cat Specialist Group lished twice a year, and is available to members and the Friends of KORA, Thunstrasse 31, 3074 Muri, the Cat Group. Switzerland Tel ++41(31) 951 90 20 For joining the Friends of the Cat Group please contact Fax ++41(31) 951 90 40 Christine Breitenmoser at [email protected] <[email protected]> <[email protected]> Original contributions and short notes about wild cats are welcome Send contributions and observations to Associate Editors: Keith Richmond [email protected]. Brian Bertram Sultana Bashir Guidelines for authors are available at www.catsg.org/catnews Juan Reppucci CATnews is produced with financial assistance from the Friends of the Cat Group. Design: barbara surber, werk’sdesign gmbh Layout: Christine Breitenmoser and Tabea Lanz Cover Photo: Amur leopard Print: Stämpfli Publikationen AG, Bern, Switzerland Photo Emmanuel Rondeau ISSN 1027-2992 © IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group The designation of the geographical entities in this publication, and the representation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. CATnews 67 Spring 2018 original contribution DoFPS. 2015. Counting tigers in Bhutan: Report on Table 1. Summary of camera trap capture records of the six felids in Gedu Territorial the national tiger survey of Bhutan 2014-2015. Forest Division in 2014. Department of Forest and Park Services, Minis- # of stations # Notionally Species Photographic rates try of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Govern- recorded independent events ment of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan. Asiatic golden Cat 13 37 0.0075 Gumal G., Salleh A. B. B. M., Yasak M. N., Horng Clouded Leopard 1 1 0.0002 L. S., Lee B. P. Y., Pheng L. C., Hamzah H., Kong D., Magintan D., Yung D. T. C., Zalaluddin A. Z. Leopard 1 4 0.0008 B., Azmi A. B., Khalid N. B., Yen T. P., Mufeng V., Leopard Cat 2 7 0.0014 Meng F. C. F & Ng S. 2014. Small-medium wild Marbled Cat 4 23 0.0047 cats of Endau Rompin Landscape in Johor, Penin- Tiger 5 19 0.0039 sular Malaysia. Cat News Special Issue 8, 10-18. Jigme K. & Tharchen L. 2011. Camera-trap records of tigers at high altitudes in Bhutan. Cat News Tempa T., Hebblewhite M., Mills L. S., Wangchuk Wangchuk T., Thinley P., Tshering K., Tshering 56,14-15. T. R., Norbu N., Wangchuk T., Nidup T., Dhen- C., Yonten D., Pema B. & Wangchuk S. 2004. Sanderson J. & Harris G. 2013. Automatic data dup P., Wangchuk D., Wangdi Y. & Tshering Field Guide to the mammals of Bhutan. De- organisation, storage, and analysis of camera 2013. Royal Manas National Park: A hotspot partment of Forests and Park Services, Mi- trap pictures. Journal of Indonesian Natural for wild felids. Bhutan, Fauna & Flora Internati- nistry of Agriculture, Royal Government of History 1, 6-14. onal, Oryx 47, 207-210. Bhutan. 182 pp. Sangay T., Rajaratnam R. & Vernes K. 2014. Wild- Thinley P., Morreale S. J., Curtis P. D., Lassoie J. life camera trapping in the Himalayan kingdom P., Dorji T., Leki, Phuntsho S. & Dorji N. 2015. 1 Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation of Bhutan with recommendations for the fu- Diversity, occupancy, and spatio-temporal oc- and Environmental Research, Lamai Goempa, ture. Camera Trapping for Animal Monitoring: currences of mammalian predators in Bhutan's Bumthang Bhutan 32001 Case studies, 87-96. Jigme Dorji National Park. Bhutan Journal of *<[email protected]> Tempa T., Norbu N., Dendup P & Nidup T. 2011. Natural Resources& Development, 2, 19-27. 2 Gedu Territorial Forest Division, Gedu, Chukha Results from camera trapping exercise for Wang S. W. & MacDonald D. W. 2009. The use of Bhutan; [email protected] estimating tiger population size in the lower camera traps for estimating tiger and leopard 3 Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosy- foothills of Royal Manas National Park. UWICE populations in the high-altitude mountains stem and Conservation Sciences, College of Fo- 39 Press, Royal Government of Bhutan. Lamai of Bhutan. Biological Conservation 142, 606- restry and Conservation, University of Montana, Goempa, Bumthang. 36 pp. 613. US 59812 SAPAI MIN (JASMINE)1,2, NEIL D’CRUZE2,3 AND DAVID W. MACDONALD2 Myanmar, by virtue of its relatively large areas of remaining forest may harbour signif- A note on felid trade at local icant populations of wild felids (see species entries in Table 1 taken from Nijman & Shep- markets in Myanmar herd 2015). Although to date relatively few quantitative field surveys focused on wild With its biogeographic position, its multiple international borders and changing po- felid populations have been carried out (Nij- litical circumstances, Myanmar is a country of on-going felid conservation priority. man & Shepherd 2015), results from existing To complement pre-existing longer term illegal wildlife trade studies, we initiated studies suggest serious populations declines a short scoping survey focused on five study sites including those located in the due to factors such as hunting and habitat interior of Myanmar (Kyaiktiyo, Mandalay and Min Bu Shwe Sat Taw) and along the loss (e.g. Lynam et al. 2006, Lynam 2010). To Thailand border (Myawaddy and Tachileik). We confirm notable ongoing open trade what extent the illegal wildlife trade contri- in at least six species of Asian felids (jungle cat Felis chaus, clouded leopard Ne- butes to these declines have not yet been ofelis nebulosa, leopard Panthera pardus, tiger Panthera tigris, Asiatic golden cat fully quantified (Shepherd & Nijman 2015). Catopuma temminckii and leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis) at three of these However, in Myanmar illegal wildlife trade is study sites (Kyaiktiyo, Min Bu Shwe Sat Taw and Tachileik). With regard to field widespread, involves numerous species, and skins, we found tiger to be the most expensive (US$ 1,100) and jungle cat to be the is often carried out openly (Shepherd & Nij- cheapest species available (US$ 11). However, full felid skins (and full skulls) de- man 2008, Nijman & Shepherd 2015). rived from clouded leopard were most commonly observed, supporting pre-existing Felid skins, sold for use as decorative items, concerns that this species is under particular pressure from poaching in Myanmar. have been noted during market surveys Based on our findings, we support calls for increased donor support for research throughout Asia (Shepherd & Nijman 2008, into illegal felid trade dynamics in Myanmar and for improved cooperation between D’Cruze & Macdonald 2015, Nijman & She- national and international enforcement agencies on CITES to help conserve remain- pherd 2015). Similarly, researchers have also ing wild populations. documented trade in their bones for medi- CATnews 67 Spring 2018 felid trade at local markets in Myanmar cines, meat for exotic dishes and live animals appears to be previously unreported). Three the cat species traded, clientele, and trade for use in the exotic pet trade (Shepherd & of the sites are located in the country’s inte- routes. We also made observations of any Nijman, 2008, D’Cruze & Macdonald 2015, rior and two along border towns adjoining felid derivatives (i.e. dried genitals, bones, Nijman & Shepherd 2015). A recent in-depth Thailand (Myawaddy and Tachileik). claws, full skeletons, skin, skulls and teeth) survey of illegal big cat derivatives at two while casually moving around stalls, taking selected border town markets (Tachileik and Methods photographic evidence when possible. We Mong La) revealed that such illegal activity is We carried out scoping surveys over a peri- identified any fakes [e.g. teeth made of resin, an issue of significant felid conservation con- od of one year between May 2016 and April fake fur (e.g. goat skin painted to mimic tiger cern in Myanmar with derivatives (involving 2017 (Supporting Online Material SOM Table fur) etc.] and excluded them from our study. an estimated 1626 individuals originating from T1). Each survey lasted between 1 and 3 days When possible, we also recorded information five different felid species) observed between with Sapai Min (experienced in such research) regarding product prices. 1991 and 2014 (Nijman & Shepherd 2015). being present during all fieldwork. We priori- With its biogeographic position, its many tised five locations where wildlife derivatives Results international borders and changing political are commonly known to be sold: (1) Kyaiktiyo During our scoping surveys we observed the circumstances, Myanmar is a country of on- (Golden Rock); (2) Mandalay; (3) Min Bu Shwe sale of derivatives belonging to six different going felid conservation priority (Nijman & Sat Taw; (4) Myawaddy; and (5) Tachileik felids that could be confirmed to species level Shepherd 2015). Studies have already high- (Fig. 1). Myawaddy and Tachileik cater large- (jungle cat, clouded leopard, leopard, tiger, lighted the value of opportunistic market sur- ly for tourists entering the town from across Asiatic golden, and leopard cat; Fig.