What is driving the increased demand for red panda pelts?
2020; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 25; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/10871209.2020.1728788
ISSN1533-158X
AutoresDamber Bista, Greg Baxter, Peter Murray,
Tópico(s)Geographies of human-animal interactions
ResumoRecent seizures of red panda pelts suggest an increasing illegal trade. Our study documents the socio-cultural perspectives affecting red panda conservation in Nepal in an attempt to determine what might be driving this increased trade. To do this, we interviewed local people; reviewed published and unpublished works, websites, and newspapers; and consulted experts. The majority of people living in red panda habitat seem familiar with this species, but it rarely has any medicinal, cultural, or religious significance. Currently, what is driving the demand for pelts is a mystery and cannot be explained by inherent negative perceptions about the animal's value to society or positive perceptions about its economic value within Nepal. Nonetheless, we suggest that insufficient knowledge about red panda-related crime, miscommunication during awareness-building campaigns, investigators' influence indicating a demand for pelts with a high price, and poverty-induced, easy money-making motives could be possible drivers for increasing the supply of pelts.
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