City, 30 April 2025 – On International Leopard Day, 03 May, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS puts a spotlight on the exploitation of leopards in the global big cat trade. Leopard populations share the fate of many other big cat species, and face severe threats: Alive or dead, they are traded as commodities to satisfy the growing demand to keep them as pets, or for their bones, skulls, and skins to be used in traditional medicine, luxury products, or trophies. South Africa’s intensive big cat captive breeding industry has turned the country into a major actor in the global big cat trade, supplying the growing international demand for big cat species. LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa was established by FOUR PAWS nearly two decades ago in 2006 to give traumatised big cats rescued from exploitation a second chance in species-appropriate care. One of its first inhabitants are the leopards Mike and Tulani. After being rescued in 2006, they are now a 'senior couple' at LIONSROCK.

“Leopards across Africa, the Middle East and Asia have lost nearly 75% of their natural habitats because of habitat destruction and poaching. While wild big cat populations are at the brink of extinction, others are bred in questionable breeding facilities for the sole purpose of being traded across the world – alive or as body parts. It’s tragic to see how these majestic creatures have turned into mere commodities,” says Vanessa Amoroso, Head of Wild Animals in Trade at FOUR PAWS.

Leopards – killed as substitutes for tigers

With the growing international demand for tigers, other big cat species like leopards have increasingly been targeted by poachers and wildlife traffickers. Purposely mislabelled as 'tiger', bones, teeth and other body parts are traded in wildlife markets in Asia to become traditional medicine, luxurious accessories, trophies and more. Despite the pressure on their wild populations and receiving the strictest protection under CITES, around 12,000 leopards and their parts were traded between 2020 and 2023 worldwide, according to the CITES database.

Despite international scrutiny, South Africa continues to play a key role in supplying and fuelling the global demand for big cats and their body parts by allowing this intensive captive breeding industry to flourish under their ineffective legislation, which at the same time perpetuates the illegal trade in big cat species. FOUR PAWS’ Break the Vicious Cycle campaign, documents South Africa’s leading role in the commercial exploitation and trade of big cat species.

Mike und Tulani – Rescued leopards that found their companion at LIONSROCK twenty years ago

FOUR PAWS Big Cat Sanctuaries — like LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa — provide a safe haven for traumatised big cats rescued from private keeping, circuses and more. Amongst them are leopards Mike and Tulani, now a resident 'senior couple' at LIONSROCK.

The leopards were socialised nearly two decades ago, shortly after the sanctuary was established in 2006. Tulani was born at a South African safari farm in 2002, before being bought as a cub by her previous owner. In contrast to Tulani, who was born in captivity, Mike was a wild leopard that got captured and kept in private keeping. Though leopards enjoy solitude, Tulani and Mike quickly found comfort in each other's company. Nearly twenty years have passed since, but both leopards are still spotted enjoying the African sun together.

To learn more about FOUR PAWS’ work and how to support its Big Cat Sanctuaries and partner projects, read more here.