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The Great Cats and Rare Canids Act will help conserve lions, jaguars, Ethiopian wolves, African wild dogs, and other carnivores. The bill was introduced by the International Conservation Caucus Co-Chairs and will provide funds through the Multi-national Species Conservation Fund for thirteen endangered and vulnerable species. It will also help to create international partnerships for conservation. 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 help those countries needing financial assistance, implement conservation strategies, and increase coordination on local, regional, and international levels. It will also establish a fund for the conservation of rare wild cats and wild dogs that are listed by the IUCN-World Conservation Union, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) or the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
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 expanding African human populations. This expansion usually leads to an increased mortality rate for these cats. The clouded leopard, which dwells in Asia’s forest ecosystems, and other lesser known cats species will also benefit from the legislation.
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© Pete Oxford
ILCP.com
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