Big Cats

There are seven big cat species over three genera. All are decreasing in populations, and only one of these species is considered to be of least concern by the IUCN Red List:

Panthera Genus

• Leopards – Vulnerable
• Lions – Vulnerable
• Tigers – Endangered
• Jaguars – Near Threatened
• Snow leopards – Vulnerable

Acinonyx Genus

• Cheetahs – Vulnerable 

Puma Genus

• Pumas – Least Concern

While only one of these big cat species is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, there are subspecies which are suffering more so, including the critically endangered Sumatran, South Chinese and Malayan tigers, endangered Asiatic lions and critically endangered Northwest African and Asiatic cheetahs.

All big cats face endangerment because of human activity, from habitat loss to poaching and climate change. The Great Projects offer big cat conservation programs where you can work with five of these species, volunteering with big cats to reduce the risks that are seeing such rapid declines in population numbers.

Big cats, such as lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, and jaguars, face several major threats driving their populations towards decline. Here are some of the most significant threats they face:

• Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Expanding agriculture, urban development, and infrastructure projects reduce and fragment habitats, leaving big cats with less space and fewer resources. As human populations grow and encroach on big cat territories, conflicts between people and big cats increase, often leading to retaliation killings.
• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: Big cats are targeted for their fur, bones, teeth, and other body parts used in traditional medicine, luxury items, and trophies. Poaching of prey species, such as deer and antelope, reduces the natural food supply for big cats, pushing them to hunt livestock and increasing conflicts with humans.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: When big cats prey on livestock, they are often killed in retaliation by farmers and herders. Big cats attacking humans in villages can lead to communities hunting them down or requesting government interventions.
• Climate Change: Climate changes can alter the ecosystems big cats depend on, such as shrinking water sources and changing vegetation patterns. As climate change affects agriculture and livelihoods, humans may move into new areas, increasing habitat encroachment and potential conflict.
• Disease: Canine distemper virus, feline leukaemia, and other diseases can spread from domestic animals or other wildlife to big cat populations.
• Genetic Isolation: Habitat fragmentation can isolate populations, which reduces genetic diversity and increases the risk of inbreeding, leading to weakened populations more susceptible to disease and environmental changes.

Big cats are crucial for keeping ecosystems balanced and healthy. As apex predators, they control prey populations, which helps preserve plant and animal diversity and prevent overgrazing. They are also indicators of environmental health; their decline can signal broader issues like habitat loss and prey decline. Big cats have cultural importance and attract tourism, providing economic benefits for local communities. By hunting, they help control the spread of diseases in wildlife, and their presence supports healthy ecosystems. Protecting big cats is essential for both their survival and the health of the environments they live in.

There are a few avenues to working with big cats, from studying and choosing a career path in biology, zoology, or environmental sciences to becoming a wildlife veterinarian or working in zoos and sanctuaries. Volunteering with big cats on a conservation project abroad is a great way to gain hands-on experience, make connections, and help protect these animals in their natural habitats. 

From reserves and big cat sanctuaries in South Africa to tiger conservation projects in India and multispecies sanctuaries in Costa Rica, The Great Projects has several incredible options to experience working with big cats across the world.

To ethically volunteer with big cats and contribute to conservation efforts, avoid sanctuaries that prioritise tourism over conservation. Ensure the projects don't allow practices like cub petting. Ethical projects and true sanctuaries will involve work that directly benefits big cats, such as habitat maintenance and behaviour observation, and support programs that educate volunteers and involve local communities.