Big Cat Conservation: A Global Alliance

Dear donors,

We have been hard at work on the Global Alliance for Big Cat Conservation and wanted to share an update with you. As always, we thank you for your generous support.

In March of this year, we hosted Global Alliance member, CEO of the Global White Lion Protection Trust, who was in the United States for a number of important meetings. Additionally, there were gatherings in California, Hawaii, New York, and Washington, D.C., during which she shared the status of white lion conservation efforts with local communities. Important meetings with geneticists at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. were also a part of this U.S. tour. These meetings may result in a partnership in genetics research, which may help influence the results of the next CITES meeting to be held in Durban, South Africa. CITES is threatening to downgrade the status of lions, which could have a terrible impact on conservation efforts. Determining genetic links could play a role in reversing that. We are hopeful that a successful partnership will result from these meetings.

We also held a special program to engage some of the littlest conservationists, which we hope will blossom into a more wide-reaching, community-based awareness building campaign to support big cat conservation. The first meeting—where we met with inner city school children to talk about big cats, the importance of conserving them, with a particular focus on the White Lions—was a raoring success. The kids were very excited to learn and had many thought-provoking questions. Afterwards, they completed an art project (see photos), and they roared their tiny yet mighty voices in the fight for conservation!

Next month, several Alliance members will be convening in the remote regions of Siberia where communities and Elders will hold Snow Leopard conservation discussions and ceremonies. We will send you an update next quarter about the outcome of those meetings.

Stay tuned, and roars of appreciation for your continued support!