International Great Cats and Rare Canines

Many of the world’s rare feline and canine species face an uncertain future due to a variety of threats including habitat loss and degradation, increasing conflict with humans, poaching and exploitation for skins and the medicinal trade, disease and pollution. Defenders of Wildlife is working to pass legislation that would help conserve 13 species of great cats and rare canines outside the U.S. that are internationally recognized as threatened or endangered.

The Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007

Defenders supports H.R. 1464 and S. 1033, Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007, which would help secure funding for cheetahs, African wild dogs, lions, dholes, jaguars, Ethiopian wolves, snow leopards, Iberian lynxes, European wolves, clouded leopards, maned wolves bush dogs and leopards by:

  • Allocating vital resources for conservation efforts within the species’ ranges,
  • Leveraging private conservation dollars and fostering international cooperation for conservation initiatives,
  • Providing assistance to conservation projects on rare feline and canine species other than those listed in the Act such as ocelots, Afghan foxes, and short-eared dogs by allocating 25 percent of the funds for lesser known species.

Protecting keystone species

Wild feline and canine species face an array of specific threats driven by humanity’s long fascination with and fear of large carnivores, as well as,the habitat loss, poaching and pollution that threaten wildlife worldwide. Human-wildlife conflict, exploitation for skins and the medicine trade and persecution all have a disproportionate impact on the world’s wild feline and canine species.

The conservation of rare cat and canine populations requires a global commitment. Unfortunately, many countries lack the funding and infrastructure to conserve species of concern. Those countries that are taking action to aid threatened species need further assistance in implementing effective conservation strategies.

Through the Multinational Species Conservation Fund (MSCF), the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act would provide much needed financial resources for 13 species that are recognized as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and/or the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species, from the majestic jaguar of South and Central America to the shy dhole of Asia.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with the support of Congress, has led America’s effort to aid other species covered by the MSCF, such as rhinos, tigers, Asian elephants, African elephants, great apes, sea turtles and migratory birds. The Service has time and again leveraged funds provided under MSCF to produce effective, on-the-ground conservation actions in host nations. Wildlife experts from around the world agree that protecting “keystone” or “umbrella” species such as large carnivores can provide ancillary benefits for the many other species that share their ecosystems. Remarkably, however, the tiger is the only carnivore species currently receiving support through the MSCF.

The bipartisan Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007 was introduced by Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM), Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Rep. John Tanner (D-TN), and Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) in the House and Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) in the Senate.

Publications and Fact Sheets


Great Cats and Rare Canids Act

Species Fact Sheet

Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2007 Posters