Endangered Cats

There are 8 big cats (not including the Sunda clouded leopard). Out of that 3 are endangered and 3 are vulnerable and 2 are near threatened. The endangered cats are tigers, snow leopards, and the mountain lion (or cougars). The vulnerable ones are lions (if they are in Africa), cheetahs, and clouded leopards. The near threatened ones are leopards and jaguars. Tigers are endangered because of habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, and poaching. Cougars are endangered due to habitat destruction. Snow leopards are endangered due to poaching, habitat loss, and low food sources. Lions are vulnerable due to habitat loss and conflicts with humans. Cheetahs are endangered due to poaching, loss of habitat, decline in prey, and a high mortality rate in cubs. Clouded leopards are vulnerable because of poaching and habitat disturbance. Jaguars are near threatened because of poaching and being hunted by angry people. Leopards are near threatened due to poaching. Seeing a pattern of poaching here?

Watch the Last Lions trailer! Every time you watch it on YouTube, National Geographic donates 10 cents to a big cat conservation in Botswana.

There is Still Hope

Okay, after that paragraph you might not be too happy. But there is still hope. There are refuges around the world for animals, not just big cats. Also there are lots of programs around the world for helping these beautiful animals. HOPE IS NOT LOST!

tiger lion
jaguar leopard