Young and old, thousands of Ngoni wore a mixture of authentic and synthetic leopar
Image: Panthera
In a groundbreaking partnership, global wild cat conservation group Panthera has joined forces with Zambia’s Ngoni Royal Establishment to revolutionize tradition—without sacrificing wildlife
This rare but significant partnership happens just in time for World Wildlife Day 2025, on March 3.
The goal is to replace real leopard pelts with ultra-luxe synthetic Heritage Furs—exquisitely crafted alternatives that let tradition thrive without sacrificing Africa’s most majestic big cats.
Since its launch in 2013, Furs for Life has distributed more than 22,000 of these cutting-edge faux furs, saving an estimated 7,500 wild cats in the process.
Now, with the 800,000-strong Ngoni people stepping into the fold, the movement’s reach has skyrocketed to over seven million individuals across southern Africa.
In a defining moment for wildlife conservation, King Mphezeni IV, monarch of the Ngoni, made a bold statement at last week’s Ncwala ceremony in Chipata.
The annual event—a grand spectacle celebrating the harvest season and Ngoni heritage—became the stage for a cultural shift as tens of thousands watched the king and his chiefs drape themselves in Heritage Furs instead of the real thing.
The message was clear: tradition doesn’t have to come at nature’s expense. Addressing Zambia’s president, King Mphezeni IV didn’t mince words: “We as Ngoni are forward-looking… and I do not want our great-grandchildren to live in a land depleted of animals. We have therefore partnered with Panthera… and are encouraging our people to adopt synthetic skins to ease hunting pressure on leopards and other cats.”
Ncwala Ceremony Chairman Dumisani Tembo echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the deep-rooted place wild cats hold in Ngoni traditions. But, he added, unchecked hunting isn’t sustainable. “Our partnership with Panthera allows us to protect these animals while ensuring our cultural celebrations thrive for generations to come.”
Panthera has already supplied the Ngoni Kingdom with Heritage Fur garments, many of which have been distributed to traditional leaders. Soon, locally tailored synthetic pieces will become the new norm at Ngoni gatherings—marking a historic pivot from hunting to conservation.
Back in 2013, Panthera researchers uncovered an unsettling reality: while South Africa’s wild leopard population was dwindling, an estimated 800 were being poached every year to fuel the demand for ceremonial attire.
Further investigations revealed an even grimmer picture—some 15,000 illegal leopard pelts were being paraded at religious gatherings, worn by believers convinced the furs imbued them with the leopard’s power.
A game-changing collaboration with South Africa’s Nazareth Baptist Church eBuhleni (Shembe Church), which led to the creation of hyper-realistic synthetic furs, digitally replicated from authentic leopard pelts.
By 2022, the initiative had leveled up, thanks to a partnership with designer Stella McCartney and Ecopel, which birthed the world’s first bio-based fur textile.
Today, the program has extended its reach to Zambia’s Barotse Royal Establishment of the Lozi people and the African Congregational Church of South Africa.
The results are nothing short of staggering. Among the Shembe community alone, real leopard fur use at religious ceremonies has plummeted by 50%, potentially saving thousands of leopards.
On the other hand, in the north of Limpopo, more than 90% of Lozi participants now opt for synthetic fur skirts and hats at major cultural events. And it’s not just about conservation—Panthera is empowering local women by providing sewing machines and training, helping them shift from illegal wildlife product tailoring to sustainable, independent businesses.
With funding from the UK Government’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, Cartier for Nature, and the Royal Commission for AlUla, Furs for Life is expanding into Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
What started as a niche conservation effort has transformed into a full-blown movement, poised to change the future of wildlife preservation across Africa.
As Panthera leads the charge in Africa, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is fighting a different but equally vital battle: rescuing and rehabilitating big cats worldwide.
Operating 13 sanctuaries and partner projects, FOUR PAWS recently undertook a grueling four-day sterilisation marathon for seven rescued lionesses—an essential procedure to prevent life-threatening uterine infections.
For these majestic creatures, survival isn’t just about physical health—it’s about mental stability, too. Species-appropriate habitats and enrichment programs are key to their well-being.
As the UN marks the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the urgency to protect the planet’s most vulnerable wildlife has never been greater.
Lions Oscar and Lima at Al Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife, Jordan.
Image: FOUR PAWS / Hristo Vladev
FOUR PAWS isn’t just about talking the talk—it’s about taking action. The organisation spearheads high-risk rescue missions for wild animals trapped in conflict zones, illegal private ownership, and substandard captivity.
Many of these species—including lions and tigers—are dangerously close to extinction, their fate hanging in the balance on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
Once freed, the journey to recovery is anything but simple. It’s a minefield of bureaucratic red tape, complex medical interventions, and negotiations with former owners who often don’t want to let go. But for those who make it through, the rewards are immeasurable.
Among FOUR PAWS’ latest rescues are seven lionesses from war-torn Gaza and Syria, now thriving at Jordan’s Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife. In partnership with the Princess Alia Foundation, FOUR PAWS’ elite veterinary team performed life-saving sterilizations to prevent Pyometra, a severe uterine infection.
“The resilience of these lionesses is extraordinary,” says Dr. Amir Khalil. “After surviving war and captivity, they have once again proven their strength. Today, all of them are recovering well and receiving the care they deserve.”
Even the king of the jungle needs a trip to the dentist. At FOUR PAWS’ LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, veterinarians recently performed root canals and extractions on several lions suffering from fractured canines.
And while it may sound trivial, these dental procedures are critical—left untreated, they can severely impact a big cat’s ability to eat, hunt, and thrive.
“Our sanctuaries set the gold standard for wild animal care,” says FOUR PAWS CEO and President Josef Pfabigan. “From spacious enclosures to medical monitoring and enrichment activities, our priority is ensuring these animals not only survive but thrive.”
As conservationists, veterinarians, and caretakers work tirelessly behind the scenes, World Wildlife Day stands as a reminder that the fight to protect endangered species is far from over.
But with initiatives like Furs for Life and the unwavering dedication of organizations like FOUR PAWS, the world’s most vulnerable animals still have a fighting chance.
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