From Yahoo! News

Carrying Zulu warrior shields and draped in leopard skins, the men of South Africa’s Shembe Church move hypnotically as they go through the steps of a traditional religious ritual

.But the striking spotted pelts around the dancers’ chests are slowly being swapped for synthetic faux fur — thanks to a pact between conservationists and church leaders.

Leopard skins are a symbol of pride and royalty in the Shembe religion, which was founded a century ago in the country’s eastern KwaZulu-Natal region with roots in Christianity and Zulu customs.

However, with the big cat populations threatened by loss of habitat and poaching, Shembe leaders have backed a cheaper and predator-friendly alternative that still upholds tradition.

“The leopard skin has got a significance because it shows power,” said Lizwi Ncwane, spokesman for the church officially known as the Nazareth Baptist Church.

“For the past four months now, we have been using fake skins because we are trying to bring awareness among our people,” he told AFP.

Written by Jean Liou/Read more at Yahoo! News