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South Asia

Afghan Leopards Threatened: After surviving decades of warfare, snow leopards in Afghanistan now face a new threat: foreigners involved in rebuilding the country. Military bases and tourist bazaars present a new market for pelts to be sold as souvenirs. Foreigners are willing to pay prices high enough to encourage impoverished Afghans to break the 2002 hunting ban protecting the leopards. The US embassy and conservationists are now using educational programs and raids to crack down on the buyers.
$1.3 Billion Pledged: Praful Patel, the World Bank

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