In August 2019, Panthera and the Barotse Royal Establishment of the Lozi people joined forces to launch
Saving Spots - a conservation initiative in western Zambia that seeks to protect declining wild cat populations using synthetic leopard, serval and lion furs, known as ‘Heritage Furs’.
Every year, hundreds of Lozi community members participate as paddlers in the Kuomboka Festival, a massive gathering on the Zambezi River to escort His Majesty the Lozi King between palaces by barge. Traditionally, nearly 200 paddlers wear
lipatelo, which are elaborate, full-length skirts made of leopard, serval and other animal furs, and lion-mane trimmed berets, known as
mishukwe.
In 2019, with the launch of Saving Spots, the Barotse Royal Establishment received 200 Panthera-created synthetic leopard and serval fur lipatelo and 200 synthetic lion mishukwe, which will replace the use of real furs by paddlers and, we expect, will help to reduce the hunting of hundreds of wild cats across southern Africa where the species are already severely threatened.
Supported by
Peace Parks Foundation and
Cartier, Panthera worked closely with digital designers to develop the Heritage Furs, which were manufactured in China and tailored in South Africa. To ensure the synthetic furs are adopted by the Lozi people, they were designed and endorsed by His Majesty the Lozi King and the Senior Chief.
Through Saving Spots, Panthera is also conducting an educational conservation outreach program in the region and a robust leopard monitoring program in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Read the Press Release