About The Cats
Big cats are in global decline. In just a few generations we’ve lost about 60 percent of their numbers—some species closer to a shocking 96%. As “apex predators”, their presence reflects the health of their entire ecosystem—and their decline, a sign of our devastating environmental impact.
In general, all big cats share a similar list of major threats to their lives and survival: habitat loss and degradation, human-wildlife conflict, poaching for illegal wildlife trade, and overhunting of prey species by locals.
This can turn around, but the world’s big cats need your help—donate now and make a real impact!
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Tiger
Weighing in at up to 260kg and growing up to 3m long (or 4m including the tail), the biggest of big cats is also one of the most endangered—their population dropping from over 100,000 a century ago to under 4,000 today, inhabiting around just 4 percent of their historic range across India, Russia, and southeast Asia.
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Snow Leopard
A secretive—and endangered—big cat, the snow leopard lives in central Asia’s remote mountain ranges. Experts estimate their population as low as 3,500 in the wild. They are killed by local herdsmen to protect their flocks and their fur and body parts are sold to the fur and traditional Chinese medicine trades.
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Mountain Lion
Mountain lions are also commonly referred to as pumas, cougars, and catamounts. They aren’t considered endangered, but still lose around 4,000 of their number annually through legal and illegal hunting and poaching. Their range stretches across the entire length of the Americas, from Alaska in the north all the way through the US, Central and South America down to Chile.
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Jaguar
The jaguar is found across 18 countries throughout South and Central America, and is the largest big cat still present in the Americas. Although still ranging over 6 million square kilometres, as a species the jaguar has lost 40% of its historic range—primarily due to hunting for its exquisite pelts, and exacerbated by habitat encroachment, deforestation, and loss of prey species from humans.
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Leopard
There are about 12,000 leopards remaining in India, where most of their population are found (though significant habitat loss is pushing them closer into urban areas, causing conflict with humans).
35% of leopard deaths in 2016 were from poaching, and so far in 2017 that number is at 40% (or, 3 of 8 leopards killed every 4 days). The Amur leopard is considered the most endangered big cat, with only 80 adults estimated in the wild.
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Cheetah
Though the fastest land animal, the cheetah’s real race is for survival. Regarded as highly vulnerable to extinction with just over 7,000 individuals in the wild. Even in the Serengeti, home to their largest remaining populations, cub mortality rate is around 95% over 18 months.
In 2012, Sarah (the world’s fastest captive cheetah) ran 100m in 5.95s (vs Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58s)… and it’s believed wild cheetahs run even faster, averaging 64km/h sprints when hunting. They are the only big cats to have semi non-retractable claws (almost like dog claws) and hard paw pads for increased traction when running.
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Clouded Leopard
Clouded leopards can be found from Borneo and Sumatra up north through China to Nepal, and though their exact number is unknown due to a lack of detailed surveys, their recent population decline is estimated at about 35% in just the past 7 years. They are arboreal, having adapted to live much of their life quite comfortably in trees—their highly dexterous paws, shorter legs, and extensive tail for balance making them incredible climbers—and operate mostly in the hours just before or at dusk.
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Lion
Did you ever think in the early 21st century that lions could become extinct? In the past 75 years, Africa has seen its lion population drop by 90% to number only about 15,000. Lions are already extinct in 25 African nations, leaving only 14 African countries with lions today, clinging to survival in small and scattered populations.
Act now to help save big cats!
The lives of all big cats around the world are under threat like never before in history. Got a big cat tattoo you’re proud of? Don’t let that just be a pubic display—help make a real impact on their survival. Donate now to show your support for the world’s declining tiger, lion, cheetah, snow leopard, jaguar, leopard, puma, and clouded leopard populations—before it’s too late!