Endangered Species

Saturday, September 02, 2006

North America quickly became the focus of the trapper’s efforts. Beavers were killed in their millions to meet the fur trades demands and only a change in fashion in the 19th century saved them from total extinction.

Other species fared even worse and were completely eradicated by the fur trade. The Falkland Island fox was completely wiped out by 1876 and the sea mink, once common in coastal areas of America, was exterminated by the fur dealers with the last individual animal being killed in 1880.

During the years 1919-21, a staggering 107,689,927 animal pelts from 125 different species were auctioned in the U.S. alone.

It was the vagaries of fashion which brought the near extinction of the spotted cats and today most wild cat species are endangered. Their populations have been devastated by the huge numbers of animals killed for their fur. In 1962, the US President’s wife, Jacqueline Kennedy was often to be seen in a leopard skin coat and suddenly a rush was on for all spotted cat fur. Coats, trousers and handbags were all made from animals such as leopard, cheetah, jaguar and ocelot. In 1964 alone, 50,000 leopard skins were exported from E. Africa whilst in 1968 the US imported 157,419 spotted cat s kins with a similar number finding their way into Europe.

As the larger cats became commercially extinct or protected, so the fur trade turned its attentions towards the smaller cats such as margay and Geoffroy’s cat. This process continues today and thousands of lynx and bobcat are still being trapped each year in North America.

The case of the snow leopard perfectly illustrates the plight of many wild endangered animals and the way the fur trade has had such a devastating effect. The number of these animals surviving today is as few as 4,500 to 7,500 spread over an area of 1.8 million sq. km of their native Asia.*

The situation that the species is in today must be seen alongside some of the advertisements used by fur retailers during the 1960s. Here are two examples that typify the mood of the day:

‘Max Bogen regret that (fur coat) no. 17 is no longer available. Unfortunately, a Himalayan snow leopard perfect enough to become a Max Bogen fur coat has not been sighted in over two years. But you may be sure that when the right one comes along, it’ll end up at Max Bogen.

‘Untamed - the Snow Leopard, provocatively dangerous. A mankiller. Born free in the wild whiteness of the high Himalayas only to be snared as part of the captivating new fur collection ... styled and shaped in a one-of-a-kindness to bring out the animal instinct in you.’ (sic)

* At the time the war in Afghanistan began there were as few as 100 snow leopards left in the country.  Since then these animals have been hunted by refugees and the number of birds flying accross the region has dropped by 85% therefore it is unlikely the population will survive.

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