Great Cats and Rare Dogs Get A Needed Boost From Congress

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) applauds today’s introduction of the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2004, a bill that will help conserve lions, jaguars, Ethiopian wolves, African wild dogs and other carnivores outside the United States.  The bill—sponsored by the International Conservation Caucus Co-chairs—will provide funds through the Multinational Species Conservation Fund for thirteen endangered and vulnerable species and will help create international partnerships for conservation.
 
“We commend Congressmen Clay Shaw and the Conservation Caucus for sponsoring this visionary piece of legislation,” said John Calvelli, senior vice president for WCS’s Public Affairs Division. “They realize that these animals have important cultural significance and that losing these species would be a tremendous loss ecologically and economically.” 
The bill addresses the lack of adequate funding and infrastructure in many countries where wild cat and dog populations exist. Once implemented, the legislation will direct funds to those countries needing financial assistance, implement conservation strategies, and increase coordination on local, regional and international levels.
 
Many of the world’s wild cat and dog populations are in decline as the result of a variety of human-related causes. As development moves into wild lands, conflicts between human communities and wildlife—especially large predators—are increasing. Well-known species such as the lion have lost much of their former habitat to the expansion of human populations in Africa, which also usually leads to increased mortality for these cats. Lesser known cat species such as the elusive clouded leopard, a denizen of Asia’s forest ecosystems, and the highly threatened Iberian lynx—the world’s most threatened cat species—will also benefit from the legislation.
 
Wild relatives of “Man’s Best Friend” —namely wild dogs and wolves—are perhaps even more threatened than cats by human development and activities. The Ethiopian wolf and Maned wolf of the South American grasslands have been reduced to a fraction of their former territory, which has been lost and fragmented by development. Other threats include hybridization with domestic dogs and conflicts with humans over livestock. Other dog species such as the African wild dog and the dhole of southern Asia have encountered similar threats and subsequent declines.
 
“The passing of the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act will be a major step forward in helping ensure that some of the Earth’s most endangered and spectacular wild creatures continue to survive for future generations,” said Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, director of WCS’s Science and Exploration Program. “This act is a testament to the desire of our nation to protect biodiversity, maintain intact wild systems, and share the planet with other species.”

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