Trade in tigers and other wild cats in Mong La and Tachilek, Myanmar – A tale of two border towns

摘要: Trade in large cats (Panthera and Neofelis species), indeed other wild cats, is a clear impediment to their conservation. Myanmar an important country for cat conservation, both because of the presence significant populations threatened species but equally as it positioned strategically between China, Thailand India. Here we analyse data from skins parts observed openly sale at two border towns Myanmar. Data Tachilek on Myanmar–Thailand (19 surveys, 1991–2013) Mong La Myanmar–China (7 2001–2014) show that most common trade was clouded leopard nebulosa (482 individuals; 22/24 surveys), followed by Prionailurus bengalensis (458 11/12 Panthera pardus (344; tiger P. tigris (207 21/24 surveys) Asiatic golden Catopuma temmincki (135 10/12 surveys). Volumes held no relationship with number (e.g. skull, claws canines) trade. The small positively related skins. There were indications leopards or used replacement tigers. While shops selling increased 6 2006 21 2014 there associated temporal increase trade, whereas decreased 35 2000 2013 this coincided decrease available parts. These last decades into has diminished reaffirms role China out