India, Feb. 2 -- The Western regional centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently received cases in which dog skin is traded as wild animal skin. Within a year the centre has received at least 3-4 cases where dog skin was traded as tiger or leopard skin by painting it with artificial colours. This has highlighted the need for conservation efforts and strengthening law enforcement and penalties in such cases.

Over the years illegal wildlife trade has emerged as a form of organised transnational crime that has threatened the existence of many wild species in India. This includes diverse products including mongoose hair, snake skins, Rhino horns, Tiger and Leopard claws, bones, skins, whiskers, Elephant tusks, deer antlers, etc....