Predators under threat

BIG cats are among the most powerful creatures to grace this planet, but they are also the most fragile. They are facing many threats to their survival in the wild, be it loss of habitat and prey, poaching and smuggling, humanwildlife conflict or climate change.

Big cats will come under the international spotlight on World Wildlife Day 2018 next month.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretary-General, John E. Scanlon, said: “Over the past century we have been losing big cats, the planet’s most majestic predators, at an alarming rate. World Wildlife Day 2018 gives us the opportunity to raise awareness about their plight and to galvanise support for the many global and national actions that are underway to save these iconic species. Through World Wildlife Day big cats will generate the level of attention they all deserve to be sure they are with us for generations to come.”

In an effort to reach as wide an audience as possible, an expanded definition of big cats is being used, which includes not only lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars but also cheetahs, snow leopards, pumas and clouded leopards. World Wildlife Day 2018 is an opportunity for people from every country to help raise awareness of the plight of big cats and to take personal action to help ensure the survival of the world’s big cats.