One of the most absurd and heartbreaking examples of luxury demand harming the natural world is the poaching of Tibet’s rare antelopes for scarves. Tibetan antelopes are considered near threatened and are quickly being wiped out due to the demand for a $20,000 luxury scarf called a shahtoosh shawl, made from their hair.
The process is incredibly wasteful, with 4 antelopes needing to be killed to make just one scarf. The Tibetan Antelope is listed as Appendix I by CITES, barring international trade of its parts and derivatives.
Rare antelope scarves
Unlike domesticated animals, Tibetan antelopes cannot be shorn like sheep and can only be hunted in the wild. The demand for these scarves originated in India but has spread to the west, with Switzerland seizing large quantities from travelers.
Despite bans and conservation efforts, shahtoosh market continues to thrive, with poachers cashing in big time. The decline of Tibetan antelopes is alarming, with an estimated 75% decline in population due to poaching for shahtoosh.
An animal in decline
The efforts to protect Tibetan antelopes include expanding nature reserves in China, where they are considered “near threatened.” The decline in their population is a serious concern, with estimates ranging from 100,000 to 250,000 remaining individuals.
