Cartier for Nature’s partner, the conservation organisation Panthera, has found an innovative solution to this challenge that protects wildlife populations, preserves local traditions and helps communities grow their income. Together with the Ebuhleni Shembe Nazareth Baptist Church in South Africa, it launched the Furs for Life programme to replace wild leopard skins with synthetic alternatives.

Inspired by its success, Panthera soon expanded the programme to Zambia, where it partners with the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE), the traditional authority of the Lozi community, whose domain covers much of the country’s Western Province. The use of authentic wild cat skins for ceremonies has since decreased by more than 50% in both communities, and leopard populations in the regions appear to have stabilised.

Now, with Cartier for Nature’s support, Panthera and its partner communities are starting women-led tailoring centres to produce synthetic cat skins locally and supply other communities in the region who wish to participate in the programme.