This paper is a study of the extent of hides and skins production and recovery rates in Zaria municipal, to show the estimated profile of its economic impact in the local government areas and state in general. Based on the analysis of the annual livestock off-take, and recovery rate figures collected from the two local government areas, it has been shown that out of 140,895 pieces, only a total of 54,180 pieces of hides and skins were recovered, indicating a 61.5% loss as only 86,715 pieces of hides and skins could be recovered. Further diagnostic analysis of the causative reasons for the loss showed that 88.2% was caused by human consumption of hides (‘ponmo’) and skins as ‘bokoto’. Human consumption of hides and skins at this rate if left unabated threatens the future survival of the Nigerian leather and leather products industries.