./assets/video/intro
The Global Wild Cat
Conservation Organization
Continue to Panthera.org
https://dg2d3wxprq381.cloudfront.net/cms/sites/default/files/TB_20130728_SKIN_A_CAT_0396.jpg?itok=hcK_dGt2
Furs for Life
The leopard is known for its gorgeous spots—but its beautiful fur has also made it one of the world’s most persecuted big cats.
In southern Africa, as many as 800 leopards are killed each year for their furs. With fewer than 5,000 leopards remaining in South Africa, this illegal killing poses a significant threat to their survival.

Many leopards are killed so their furs can be used by local religious groups like the Nazareth Baptist Church eBuhleni, commonly known as Shembe Church, for ceremonial garb. After discovering that Shembe followers were using as many as 15,000 illegal leopard furs, Panthera initiated the Furs for Life Leopard Program in 2013.    

Working with digital designers, Panthera created high-quality and affordable synthetic leopard fur capes, known as amambatha. More than 18,500 capes have already been donated to the Shembe with support from the Peace Parks Foundation and Cartier.

Thanks to the support of Shembe leaders, the synthetic furs are gaining increased acceptance as viable alternatives to real leopard furs. Panthera’s research indicates that use of real furs has already decreased by 50%, preventing hundreds of leopard deaths each year.

Join us in protecting Africa’s leopards. For $30, you can save a leopard's life by funding the production of one synthetic fur. 
https://dg2d3wxprq381.cloudfront.net/cms/sites/default/files/leopard_donate.jpg?itok=_aPD3172
My name is and I wish to donate
to .
https://dg2d3wxprq381.cloudfront.net/cms/sites/default/files/leopard_donate.jpg?itok=_aPD3172
Keep our world wild
Give today to save wild cats
If you are a UK tax-payer and want GiftAid to increase the impact of your gift, please click here.
Recurring gifts can be adjusted at any time by contacting our development department.
Donate Now
Close
How would you like to donate?
notice
If you are a UK tax-payer and want GiftAid to increase the impact of your gift, please click here.
hidden
1282
email
Email
your@email.com
We will send you a reciept on this address
Please enter a valid email
Keep me updated on the status of big cats around the world
number
Donation Amount
100.00
Enter amount you want to donate
Gift Amount
Gift amount in $
Please select an amount
Make this a monthly gift so that my support can have an impact all year
Allocation
Make a donation in honor of someone
Tribute Type
Select
Please select tribute type
Please select honor type
text
Honoree Name
Name
Please enter Honoree's full name
This field can't be empty
text
Recipient Name
Notification Recipient Name
Please enter the name of the person to be notified
This field can't be empty
email
Recipient Email
Notification Recipient Email
Please enter the email of the person to be notified
Please enter a valid email
textarea
Note
Enter custom message
How would you like to donate?
notice
If you are a UK tax-payer and want GiftAid to increase the impact of your gift, please click here.
text
First Name
First Name
This field can't be empty
text
Last Name
Last Name
This field can't be empty
Country/Region
Select
Please select your Country
State/territory
Your State/Territory
Please select your State
text
Address
Main Street 1
This field can't be empty
text
City
Your city
This field can't be empty
text
Postal code
1234
Please enter a valid postal code
Make an anonymous donation.
Complete Transaction
text
Name
Name on card
As written on the card
This field can't be empty
text
Card Number
1234 5678 9123 4567
Only numbers, no dashes
This field can't be empty
Expiration date
Expiration Month and Year
number
Security code
123
3 digit security code on the back of your card
This field can't be empty
Thank you for your generous donation!
Your donation receipt will be sent within 24 hours to the email address provided. If you have any questions, please contact our Development Department at eadams@panthera.org or 646-786-0405.

You are part of a global movement working side-by-side with Panthera’s scientists, law enforcement personnel, and conservation advocates to ensure a future for wild cats and their habitats.

Look out for our newsletter and connect with us on social media below to stay involved and help save our planet’s remaining wild spaces.

Thank you once again for your passion and commitment to wild cat conservation!

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Panthera is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. Read our Privacy Policy for  more information. 
National Geographic profiles Panthera’s Furs for Life Program in ‘Can Fake Furs Help Protect Leopards?’
Saving Spots with Synthetic Furs
Panthera expanded its groundbreaking Furs For Life program in August 2019 with the launch of Saving Spots, a new culturally sensitive conservation partnership with the Lozi people of western Zambia. Through the project, Panthera has created synthetic fur garments known as “Heritage Furs” to replace real leopard, serval and lion furs used during Lozi festivals. Designed and endorsed by His Majesty the Lozi King and the Lozi Senior Chief, Panthera expects that the Heritage Furs will help to reduce the hunting of wild cats across southern Africa where the species are severely threatened.

Learn More 
Fur Forensics
Interviews with illegal wildlife traders have revealed that many furs used by the Shembe were not acquired from South Africa. In order to determine the origin of these furs—and therefore identify hot spots for leopard poaching—Panthera and its partners have developed a genetic database for leopards in southern Africa. With over 1,000 genetic samples from nine countries, this is the most comprehensive study of leopard genetics anywhere in the world. 
 
By providing authorities with data about where these furs are coming from, we hope to raise awareness about the scale and impact of the illegal fur trade and, most importantly, compel decision-makers to prioritize law enforcement efforts to stop the poaching of Africa’s leopards.
See the Brochure
https://dg2d3wxprq381.cloudfront.net/cms/sites/default/files/FFL-Page-eBuhleni_Jan-17_Panthera-amambatha_GWJ-5.jpg?itok=3EtGEE4Z
Listen Now: Furs for Life
Furs for Life Leopard Program Consultant Tristan Dickerson talks about using synthetic fur to protect real leopards in an interview with BBC World Service Radio.

Listen Now
Synthetic Fur Films
External
Video
2016-12-09 16:10:01
To Skin A Cat
Source: Scholars & Gentleman
External
Video
2016-12-08 22:31:49
Furs for Life
Source: Scholars & Gentleman
External
Video
2015-11-11 11:51:33
Can Fake Furs Help Protect Leopards?
Source: National Geographic
Latest Leopard News
Blog
Press Release
2021-04-08 14:22:02
Luxury in the Name of Leopards: Sotheby's and Panthera Auction Big Cat-Inspired Jewels to Benefit Species in the Wild
External
Popular Article
2021-03-31 11:53:51
The pandemic is a gift to poachers in Africa
Source: The Economist
External
Popular Article
2021-03-28 11:53:51
Saudi Arabia’s mission to save the Arabian Leopard
Source: Arab News
External
Popular Article
2021-03-15 21:00:00
Here's How A Leopard-Print Shirt Might Help Save Real Leopards In The Future
Source: World Atlas
External
Popular Article
2021-03-02 11:53:51
Leopard print fashion could help save real leopards – if retailers start charging small royalties for spots
Source: inews
External
Popular Article
2021-02-19 11:53:51
Fake it till you save it? Synthetic animal parts pose a conservation conundrum
Source: Mongabay
External
Popular Article
2021-02-17 11:53:51
Leopard population tracking gets new approach
Source: The Hindu
External
Popular Article
2021-02-12 11:53:51
Model Developed for Precise Count of Leopard Population
Source: The Sentinel Assam
Blog
Press Release
2020-12-15 14:51:54
Threatened Species Find a New Home in AlUla's Sharaan Nature Reserve
External
Popular Article
2020-11-17 14:07:32
Africa’s Pandemic-Fueled Conservation Crisis
Source: bioGraphic
External
Popular Article
2020-11-16 14:25:23
Saudi Arabia’s Nature Reserves Thrive in Bid to Replenish Numbers of Threatened Animals
Source: Arab News
External
Popular Article
2020-11-15 14:31:04
Wildfires Harming Jaguar Habitat in Brazil
Source: One Green Planet
External
Popular Article
2020-10-20 12:39:00
Can SA Save its Leopards? New Study Shows How, With Help From Faux Fur, Special Corridors
Source: Biz News
External
Popular Article
2020-10-20 12:34:28
$20 Million Brings the Arabian Leopard Back to Al-Ula
Source: Saudi 24 News
External
Popular Article
2020-10-19 12:36:05
The Arabian Tiger Returns to its Homeland in Al-Ula …
Source: Al Khaleelj Today
External
Popular Article
2020-09-24 14:18:54
Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade: Elephants Go Hungry as Climate Crisis Causes Africa’s Largest Rainforest to ‘Wither and Die’
Source: The Independent
External
Video
2020-09-02 21:00:00
Leopard Conservation (Collaboration with andBeyond)
External
Popular Article
2020-08-07 12:46:07
Region Shows the World How to Protect Wildlife
Source: Southern Times Africa
External
Popular Article
2020-06-05 21:00:00
An Arabian Leopard Resettlement Strategy in Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan
Source: Asharq al-Awsat
External
Popular Article
2020-06-05 21:00:00
Gazelles Reintroduced At Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, Could Pave Way For Arabian Leopard
Source: Arab News
Blog
Press Release
2020-06-04 18:10:14
Baby Gazelle's Wobbly First Steps Point Towards a New Future for AlUla's Nature Reserves and the Potential Return of Arabian Leopards
Blog
Press Release
2020-06-04 12:18:49
استراتيجية لإعادة توطين النمر العربي في محمية شرعان الطبيعية في العلا
External
Popular Article
2020-04-11 21:00:00
The African Leopard
Source: Caravan & Outdoor Life
External
Popular Article
2020-04-10 21:00:00
Exploitation Changes Leopard Behavior With Long-Term Genetic Costs
Source: The Conversation
External
Popular Article
2020-04-08 21:00:00
This live-cam wild cat footage takes adorable animal content to the next level
Source: Lonely Planet
External
Popular Article
2020-03-13 21:00:00
Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining: Saving A Forest for the Benefit of Clouded Leopards and Humans
Source: The University of Oxford
External
Popular Article
2020-03-08 21:00:00
Conserving snow leopards in Mongolia
Source: Discover Wildlife
External
Popular Article
2020-02-05 21:00:00
Lozis Embrace Replica Skins to Save Leopards
Source: Nkwazi Magazine
External
Popular Article
2020-01-30 00:00:00
Un éléphant observé en liberté au Sénégal pour la première fois depuis des années
Source: Le Monde
External
Popular Article
2020-01-02 00:00:00
Indochinese leopard in grave danger
Source: New Straits Times
External
Popular Article
2019-12-18 00:00:00
Digital designers create replica leopard furs for ceremonial wear in southern Africa
Source: CNN
External
Popular Article
2019-09-26 21:00:00
Inside the efforts to help animals hurt by the Amazon fires
Source: National Geographic
External
Popular Article
2019-09-10 21:00:00
A lifeline for the last leopards (commentary)
Source: Mongaybay
External
Popular Article
2019-09-09 21:00:00
Endangered Arabian leopard spotted in Oman
Source: The National
External
Popular Article
2019-08-30 21:00:00
Bolivia's Forest Fires Have Left More Than 2 Million Animals Dead
Source: Gizmodo
Blog
Press Release
2019-08-27 21:00:00
Panthera and Zambia's Lozi People Launch New Initiative Using Synthetic Furs to Protect Wild Cats
External
Popular Article
2019-08-26 21:00:00
Esteban Payán, Ph.D. interview on the Amazon fires (starts at 10:20 mark)
Source: Voice of America News
External
Popular Article
2019-08-22 21:00:00
Well-Spotted (Page 110)
Source: Responsible Traveller Magazine
External
Popular Article
2019-08-19 21:00:00
John Goodrich, Ph.D. interview on the tiger population estimate increase in India (starts at 19:30 mark)
Source: Voice of America News
External
Popular Article
2019-08-16 21:00:00
WATCH: Why Did These Lions Let This Leopard Off The Hook?
Source: Earth Touch News Network
External
Popular Article
2019-08-10 21:00:00
Leopards in Guwahati’s Hills Jostle for Space
Source: Mongabay
External
Popular Article
2019-08-05 21:00:00
Saudi Arabia has Announced the Birth of Two Critically Endangered Arabian Leopards
Source: VOGUE ARABIA
External
Popular Article
2019-08-01 21:00:00
How the New Lion King Film Could Help the Real-Life Lion Crisis
Source: Town & Country Magazine
External
Popular Article
2019-07-31 21:00:00
Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla Announces Birth of Two Arabian Leopard Cubs in Significant Boost to Critically Endangered Subspecies
Source: English
External
Popular Article
2019-07-31 21:00:00
Saudi Arabia: Arabian Leopard Gives Birth to Two Cubs
Source: Yahoo News
External
Popular Article
2019-07-31 21:00:00
Saudi Arabia: Arabian Leopard Gives Birth to Two Cubs
Source: Saudi Gazette
External
Popular Article
2019-07-31 21:00:00
Saudi Crusade Aims to Save Arabian Leopards From Extinction
Source: Al-Bawaba
External
Popular Article
2019-07-31 21:00:00
Spot the Difference: Two Arabian Leopard Cubs Born in Saudi Arabia
Source: The National
External
Popular Article
2019-07-31 21:00:00
Successful Birth of Arabian Leopard Cubs ‘New Beacon of Hope’ in Saudi Bid to Save Species from Extinction: Culture Minister
Source: Arab News
Blog
Page
2019-07-31 12:29:01
Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla Announces Birth of Two Arabian Leopard Cubs in Significant Boost to Critically Endangered Subspecies
External
Popular Article
2019-07-28 21:00:00
Saving the Malayan Tiger Will Require Global Support
Source: Yahoo Finance
External
Popular Article
2019-07-26 21:00:00
The Lion King is Dying: Conservation Funding Stagnates as Clock Ticks Down on Saving the King of the Jungle
Source: MEAWW
External
Popular Article
2019-07-22 21:00:00
Insolite – La Grotte Chauvet Sort Les Griffes
Source: France 2
External
Popular Article
2019-07-22 21:00:00
Insolite – La Grotte Chauvet Sort Les Griffes
Source: YouTube
External
Popular Article
2019-06-30 00:00:00
Saudi Arabia Has Signed a Multimillion-Dollar Deal Aimed at Saving the Arabian Leopard
Source: About Her
External
Popular Article
2019-06-23 00:00:00
Saudi Arabia Has Signed a Multimillion-Dollar Deal Aimed at Saving the Arabian Leopard
Source: Africazine
External
Popular Article
2019-06-18 00:00:00
Conservation SOS: Africa’s Leopards Battling Extinction
Source: Singita
External
Popular Article
2019-06-15 00:00:00
EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA: Royal Commission for Al-Ula Enters Into A $20 Million Partnership with Panthera to Prevent the Extinction of Arabian Leopards
Source: Gulf News Journal
External
Popular Article
2019-06-14 00:00:00
AlUla and Panthera Join Together to Save the Most Scarce Leopard Alive, The Arabian Leopard
Source: Independent Arabia
External
Popular Article
2019-06-09 00:00:00
Arabian leopard population given $20 million lifeline in new deal
Source: The National
External
Popular Article
2019-06-09 00:00:00
$20 million deal signed to save Arabian leopard population
Source: Arab News
External
Popular Article
2019-06-09 00:00:00
$20 Million Deal Signed to Save Arabian Leopard Population
Source: Saudi Daily Record
External
Popular Article
2019-06-09 00:00:00
Its a $20 Million Deal: Saudi Aims to Save Arabian Leopards
Source: Albawaba
External
Popular Article
2019-06-08 00:00:00
AlUla and Panthera Sign Partnership Agreement to Support Arabian Leopard Initiatives
Source: Al Eqtisadiah
External
External
2019-06-08 00:00:00
Saudi Arabia is Setting Up a Global Fund to Protect and Reproduce the Remaining Arabian Leopards
Source: Asharq al-Awsat
External
Popular Article
2019-06-08 00:00:00
Badr bin Farhan Signs an Agreement with Panthera to Protect the Arabian Leopard
Source: AHM Saudi
External
Popular Article
2019-06-08 00:00:00
Tom Kaplan Interview on Saving the Arabian Leopard and Leopards Around the Globe, (36:00 min mark)
Source: BBC Newshour
External
Popular Article
2019-06-08 00:00:00
Saudi Arabia’s al-Ula to invest $20 million in world leopard conservation
Source: Al Arabiya
External
Popular Article
2019-06-08 00:00:00
RCU teams up with Panthera Partner for leopard conservation
Source: Saudi Gazette
External
Popular Article
2019-06-08 00:00:00
RCU teams up with Panthera Partner for leopard conservation
Source: Eye of Dubai
External
Popular Article
2019-06-08 00:00:00
RCU teams up with Panthera Partner for leopard conservation
Source: Eye of Riyadh
Blog
Press Release
2019-06-07 10:07:25
تهدف إلى دعم الجهود العالمية للحفاظ على النمور الهيئة الملكية لمحافظة العلا و"بانثيرا" توقعان اتفاقية شراكة لدعم مبادرات النمر العربي
External
External
2019-06-07 00:00:00
Badr bin Farhan Signs an Agreement with Panthera to Protect the Arabian Leopard
Source: Okaz
External
External
2019-06-07 00:00:00
A Partnership Between AlUla and Panthera to Preserve the Arabian Leopard
Source: Al Watan
External
Popular Article
2019-06-07 00:00:00
Royal Commission for AlUla and Panthera Sign Agreement to Support Arab Leopard Initiatives
Source: Almowaten
External
Popular Article
2019-06-07 00:00:00
The Minister of Culture Signs an Agreement to Protect the Arabian Leopard from Extinction
Source: Al Madina
External
Popular Article
2019-06-07 00:00:00
بدر بن فرحان يوقع اتفاقية مع «بانثيرا» لحماية النمر العربي
Source: Al Riyadh
External
Popular Article
2019-06-07 00:00:00
A A الهيئة الملكية لمحافظة العلا و«بانثيرا» تدعمان مبادرات النمر العربي
Source: Aawsat
Blog
Press Release
2019-06-06 17:08:27
Royal Commission for AlUla and Panthera Partner on New Arabian Leopard Initiatives (ALI) to Champion Global Leopard Conservation
External
Panthera in the News
2019-04-22 12:47:17
Play A Part In Protecting Species While You Travel For Earth Day
Source: Forbes
External
Popular Article
2019-04-13 21:00:00
Video: The Unintended Victims of a Hidden Killer
Source: Africa Geographic
External
Popular Article
2019-04-11 21:00:00
The unintended victims of a hidden killer
Source: Peace Parks Foundation
External
Popular Article
2019-03-04 21:00:00
Saving the Black Leopard
Source: The New York Times
External
Popular Article
2019-03-04 21:00:00
Rare India Black Leopard Caught on Film
Source: BBC
External
Popular Article
2019-02-13 21:00:00
'Pet' Leopard Attacks Children in Chad Primary School
Source: The Guardian
External
Popular Article
2019-02-12 21:00:00
Africa’s Black Panthers Emerge From the Shadows
Source: The New York Times
External
Popular Article
2019-02-11 21:00:00
Black leopard spotted in Africa for first time in 100 years
Source: National Geographic
External
Popular Article
2019-01-29 21:00:00
A Lioness Adopts a Leopard Cub
Source: Seeker
External
Popular Article
2018-11-30 13:26:19
Singita partners with Panthera to undertake a key camera trap survey of leopards in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
Source: Travel PR News
External
Popular Article
2018-11-27 13:24:58
Protecting the Most Persecuted Big Cat in the World
Source: Singita
External
Popular Article
2018-11-05 17:17:30
Leopard, hyena share a rare meal—before other cats cut in
Source: National Geographic
External
Popular Article
2018-10-30 11:04:21
Video: Why did this leopard kill one of its own?
Source: Earth Touch News
Blog
Press Release
2018-10-06 21:59:27
A Statement from Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, Chairman of Panthera
External
Popular Article
2018-09-19 17:51:12
Are Leopards a Type of Anole? They Have Dewlaps!
Source: Anole Annals
External
Popular Article
2018-08-24 17:08:55
Trail camera captures perfectly timed photo of a leopard on the hunt
Source: Earth Touch News Network
External
Popular Article
2018-08-23 17:11:47
The Most Incredible Camera-Trap Leopard Photo Ever?
Source: Londolozi Blog
External
Popular Article
2018-08-15 15:32:40
Why the world needs big cats
Source: Houston Chronicle
External
Popular Article
2018-07-08 12:08:55
Threat Poachers are Posing to Leopards
Source: Tehran Times
External
Popular Article
2018-06-27 15:22:02
Why These Leopard Sisters Are Mating With the Same Male
Source: National Geographic
External
Popular Article
2018-06-19 09:56:52
Leopard Plays With Prey’s Own Bones
Source: National Geographic
See more news
https://dg2d3wxprq381.cloudfront.net/cms/sites/default/files/Guy-Balme-Bio-Circle.png?itok=EMSY1qKJ
Dr. Guy Balme
Deputy Executive Director, Conservation Science; Director, Leopard Program
In South Africa, Panthera's Furs for Life Leopard Program is providing an innovative and real solution to a threat that is decimating leopard populations. Very rarely in the world of conservation do you see a resolution this simple and respectful of cultural and religious traditions that is so swiftly accepted by local communities.
Project Pardus
https://dg2d3wxprq381.cloudfront.net/cms/sites/default/files/large-meet-leopard-brettpearson.jpg?itok=yTuwR-ww
//www.panthera.org/cms/sites/default/files/audio/dynamic/cats/Leopard
Read More