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Bergin, D.; Nijman, V.
Potential benefits of impending Moroccan wildlife trade laws, a case study in carnivore skins
2015 Biodiversity Conservation (25): 199-201
Approximately 25 % of the world's carnivores are considered threatened with extinction (IUCN 2015). Most carnivores face challenges from habitat loss and fragmentation as well as hunting for food, medicinal products and trophies (Karanth and Chellam 2009). Morocco has experienced the extirpation of the lion _Panthera leo _(Black et al. 2013) and very nearly the leopard_ Panthera pardus_ (Cuzin 2003; Agencia EFE 2010) due to overhunting, and reports of illegal trade in carnivores in Morocco surface irregularly (Shipp 2002; Cuyten 2011; Bergin and Nijman 2014). However, new laws currently being brought in hold promise for Moroccan carnivores; here we report on the persistence of the trade in carnivores (alive, parts, skins) throughout Morocco, thereby hoping to encourage the Moroccan authorities to devote sufficient resources to the proper implementation of the new legislation.
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