International Alliance Commits $80 Million to Protect World’s Wild Cats and Their Habitats

Global Conservation efforts for wild cats has certainly turned a positive corner thanks to the amazing, international organizations that have all joined together to help fund Panthera’s Initiative for Wild Cats.

Cats around the world are roaring with happiness, knowing that their habitats will be protected for the next 10-years – a promise that was previously unheard of. The fund, organized by Pathera, was made possible thanks to donors from China, India, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

According to a press release from Panthera, this $80 million will go towards funding, “the most effective solutions for conserving big cats and mitigating their primary threats.” Among these threats are,”poaching for local and international trade; retaliatory and punitive killing from conflict with humans; unsustainable hunting of prey; and the loss and fragmentation of habitat.”

As apex predators, wild cats play an essential role in balancing the ecosystems in which they reside. The shocking disappearance of these animals due primarily to human greed and malice has wreaked havoc on the populations of wild cats across the globe.

This unprecedented international alliance sends the message that the Conservation of wild cats is a global issue and must be dealt with accordingly. With the help from this new funding, the Conservation experts at Panthera will now be able to focus on the important task of looking for effective ways to help stabilize the delicate population of Asian tigers and African lions, while simultaneously securing a “carnivore corridor” for cougars in Latin America, and launching a series of community-based Conservation programs…along with many more incredible initiatives!

This is incredible news and should be celebrated by conservationists everywhere. To learn more about Panthera and the incredible Conservation work they do for wild cats, check out their website here.

Image source: Winifred Bruenken/Wikimedia Commons