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Article: The leopard cannot change its spots; Skin traders and habitat loss in KwaZulu-Natal are fast reducing the big cat's numbers, but for Shembe followers, wearing leopard skin is 'the word of God'.(News)
- Article from:
- The Mercury (South Africa)
- Article date:
- April 9, 2009
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 Independent News & Media PLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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BYLINE: Tony Carnie
WE reported in this column last week on some of the growing concerns about KwaZulu-Natal's declining leopard population.
Since then, it has emerged from the official census data that there may be fewer than 500 leopards left in the province - raising fresh questions about how the demand for traditional leopard skin clothing and regalia is driving the decline in wild leopard populations.
While a spokesman for the Zulu royal house has expressed surprise at the apparent decline in leopard numbers in the province, a spokesman for the Shembe (Nazareth Baptist) Church has made it clear this week that the wearing of traditional ...