INTERVENTION SUMMARY

The Panthera (2022) “Saving Spots” initiative was designed to reduce the ceremonial use of real leopard skins among the Lozi people of Barotseland, Zambia, particularly by paddlers during the annual Kuomboka festival. The intervention had two main components: a demand-reduction strategy targeting cultural drivers of leopard skin use, and reinforced enforcement of anti-poaching laws. Panthera collaborated closely with the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) to issue a royal decree banning authentic leopard skins and promoting the use of synthetic substitutes known as “Heritage Furs.” A total of 1,350 synthetic garments were produced and distributed to paddlers through the BRE, with systems in place to store and reuse garments across festivals. To promote awareness and adoption, Panthera also launched educational campaigns using social media, videos, and community engagement. Complementing the cultural strategy, anti-poaching patrols and law enforcement operations were enhanced in the Greater Kafue Ecosystem. This dual-track approach aimed to both reduce the demand for leopard skins and disrupt supply chains of illegal wildlife products. The program was implemented between 2020 and 2022 and aimed to align conservation goals with traditional values through respectful engagement and practical alternatives.

INTERVENTION DETAILS

What was the problem?

"Leopard populations in Barotseland and the surrounding Kafue Ecosystem faced significant pressure from targeted poaching to supply the ceremonial demand for leopard skins, particularly during the Kuomboka festival. Traditional values, limited enforcement reach, and social incentives for wearing leopard skins perpetuated the threat.

What was the Intervention and How was it Implemented?

Establish and Implement a Royal Decree: This intervention focused on implementing a royal decree. The Litunga, the Lozi King, declared that only synthetic furs, referred to as “Heritage Furs”, were to be worn by the Lozi people during the Kuomboka festival, prohibiting authentic leopard skins. This declaration was communicated through a radio broadcast by the Prime Minister of Barotseland. (Remove Excuses - set rules, alert conscience, assist compliance).

Provide Synthetic Furs for Use: This intervention focused on providing fur alternatives. To facilitate adherence to the new decree, the project provided the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) with 1,350 realistic synthetic alternatives (“Heritage Furs”) for traditional attire. These furs were centrally stored at royal palaces and distributed to participants before the ceremonies, then collected afterward. Picking up the synthetic furs from the Royal Palace increased the furs’ prestige and promoted the intervention's sustainability. (Remove Excuses - assist compliance; Increase the Effort- harden target).

Increase Awareness: This intervention focused on raising awareness of the poaching threat to local communities. Educational videos were produced and shared through social media platforms, like YouTube and WhatsApp, to highlight the threats to leopards. These videos were also shown at Lozi communal gatherings and Kuomboka fundraising events. (Remove Excuses - alert conscience).

Was the Intervention Effective, Ineffective, or Promising?

The intervention was effective in reducing leopard poaching and increasing leopard population density. From 2020-2022, there was a 70% drop in authentic leopard skin ownership, and old skins were not replaced by new ones. Leopard poaching incidents declined after the implementation of the intervention, and mean leopard densities increased by over 100% in the Greater Kafue Ecosystem from which the species were primarily poached. About 75% of the surveyed paddlers had a positive opinion about synthetic furs. The assessments of the intervention confirmed that the Lozi people were less likely to desire, use, own, or acquire authentic ceremonial leopard skins, and this was a direct result of the intervention. This led to a decrease in the trafficking and poaching of leopards and the increase in their populations in the GKE.

How do We Know?

The intervention was effective because of multiple supporting factors. There was strong endorsement and leadership from the BRE, especially with Litunga's declaration promoting synthetic alternatives, facilitating community buy-in. The intervention provided highly realistic and culturally acceptable synthetic furs, which made it easier for the community to comply with the initiative. By offering a practical and culturally endorsed alternative, the program addressed both social and logistical drivers of leopard skin use.

Were Conservation Outcomes Measured?

Yes. Outcomes included reductions in leopard skin ownership and seizures, increased adoption of synthetic alternatives, and a documented increase in leopard densities (by up to 184%) in parts of the Greater Kafue Ecosystem, indicating reduced poaching pressure.

ASSESSMENT

The intervention led to a decline in leopard skin ownership among paddlers (from 67% in 2020 to 19% in 2022), increased use of synthetic "Heritage Faux" alternatives, and reduced demand for real leopard skins.

The intervention changed behavior by leveraging social authority (royal decree), enhancing cultural acceptability of synthetic alternatives, and removing the need to hunt or purchase authentic leopard skins. The prestige of royal endorsement shifted social norms, while providing realistic synthetic garments made compliance easy. This dual strategy (setting rules and assisting compliance) reduced demand and broke the link between traditional ceremonies and poaching.

Key contextual factors included: 

  • Leadership influence of the Litunga and Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE). 
  • Community attitudes toward authenticity and tradition. 
  • Presence of resistant users usually unemployed or undereducated paddlers. 
  • Complementary supply-side enforcement (ranger patrols, seizures) supporting demand reduction. 
  • COVID-19-related event cancellations, which interrupted awareness momentum.

The implementation of the “Saving Spots” initiative in Barotseland was centered on a culturally-sensitive, collaborative approach that involved the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) and local communities. A royal decree from His Majesty the Litunga (the Lozi King) formally banned the use of authentic leopard skins in ceremonial dress, creating a clear behavioral expectation. This was supported by the production and distribution of 1,350 realistic synthetic alternatives, called “Heritage Furs,” which were designed to closely replicate the look and prestige of real leopard skins. The garments were distributed to paddlers through BRE channels and housed in royal palaces to facilitate reuse and reduce individual ownership pressure. Complementary efforts included education and outreach via social media, video campaigns, and community sensitization events. Implementation challenges included delays and cancellations of ceremonies due to COVID-19, some logistical issues in garment distribution, and signs of declining awareness in 2022. Despite these, the project maintained high fidelity to its design, with most paddlers transitioning to synthetic garments during the first post-declaration ceremonial event. The integration of cultural legitimacy, visible leadership support, and practical garment accessibility contributed to the strong uptake and compliance observed.

The case study does not provide detailed cost figures, but costs included the production and logistics of 1,350 Heritage Furs, awareness campaigns, and coordination with royal and government authorities. The project was funded by multiple donors (e.g., Cartier for Nature). The model suggests long-term cost savings through reuse of synthetic garments and reduced law enforcement burden.

SCP COLUMNS

Target harden
Set rules Alert conscience Assist compliance

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Citation

Panthera/Saving Spots (2022)

Year Range

2018-2022

Country

Zambia

Landscape

Rainforest,Forest

Target Species

Leopard

Problem type

Poaching

Source: Panthera. (2022). Saving Spots: tackling leopard poaching for ceremonial leopard skin trade in Western Zambia. https://popcenter.asu.edu/sites/default/files/saving_spots_hg_submission_panthera_final_for_pop_centre_portal.pdf.