Please Sign to Protect the Great Cats and Rare Canines
Please Sign to Protect the Great Cats and Rare Canines
Why this petition matters
Purpose: This bill would assist in the conservation of rare canids and rare felids. Financial resources would be provided to conservation programs in nations within the range of these animals' populations, and funding would be provided to those with demonstrated expertise in protecting these animals.
Status: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.
Of the 37 wild felid species worldwide, all are currently recognized as species in need of protection under federal and/or international laws. Of the 35 wild canid species worldwide, nearly 50 percent are recognized as in need of such protection
Large felids and canids are considered both umbrella and indicator species. Healthy populations of these species act as an important indicator of the integrity of entire ecosystems and, because they require large wild spaces to persist, their presence benefits entire ecosystems and a large number of other species. Measures taken to benefit these keystone species will ultimately benefit a great number of other species.
Conservation of rare felid and rare canid populations requires global commitment. Adequate funding for conservation is sorely lacking, and many range countries for those species do not have adequate infrastructure to protect species of concern. Those countries that do provide assistance to threatened populations need further assistance in implementing effective conservation strategies.
Rare felids and rare canids face an array of threats, including loss of habitat and natural prey, intentional and unintentional takings by humans, and disease transmission. These threats need to be addressed in a coordinated fashion.