Not Your Average House Cat
In a time before humans took over and damaged the planet, wild cats, both large and small, roamed the world in large populations. Unfortunately, over time, the numbers of each species began to dwindle and some of them even reached 0, putting them into extinction. The majestic wild cats such as tigers, leopards, cheetahs and lynxes are among the most endangered species that are at risk for extinction. In fact, according to SeetheWild, an organization dedicated to wildlife conservation, roughly 80% of the 40 cat species are shrinking and sixteen of them are considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. The major, identifiable threat to these wonderful beasts lies in the hands of the human race. Factors such as loss of habitat, human conflict, wildlife trade, global warming, and loss of prey are to blame for the rapid decline in numbers of these beautiful creatures.
Although much of the damage is irreversible, there are still ways the average person can help.
Although much of the damage is irreversible, there are still ways the average person can help.
What is an Endangered Species? -What you need to know
According to The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a worldwide organization founded in 1948,
1. A wild cat is considered “critically endangered” when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future, and there has been a reduction of at least 80% of the population over the past 10 years.
2. This is determined by several factors, including direct observation, the total number of wild cats considered appropriate for the species, a decline in the number of wild cats living in a particular area.
3. When a wild cat has been labeled “critically endangered,” it has been determined that the species or subspecies has less than 50 mature cats in existence.
4. A wild cat species is considered “endangered” when it is at a high risk of extinction in the near future, and there has been a 50% reduction in the population of the species over the past 10 years.
5. A wild cat is listed as endangered by the IUCN based on several criteria, including direction observation, how many wild cats are considered appropriate for the species and a reduction in the number of wild cats living in an area.
6. When a wild cat is labeled “endangered,” that species or subspecies has less than 2500 mature individuals in existence.
1. A wild cat is considered “critically endangered” when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future, and there has been a reduction of at least 80% of the population over the past 10 years.
2. This is determined by several factors, including direct observation, the total number of wild cats considered appropriate for the species, a decline in the number of wild cats living in a particular area.
3. When a wild cat has been labeled “critically endangered,” it has been determined that the species or subspecies has less than 50 mature cats in existence.
4. A wild cat species is considered “endangered” when it is at a high risk of extinction in the near future, and there has been a 50% reduction in the population of the species over the past 10 years.
5. A wild cat is listed as endangered by the IUCN based on several criteria, including direction observation, how many wild cats are considered appropriate for the species and a reduction in the number of wild cats living in an area.
6. When a wild cat is labeled “endangered,” that species or subspecies has less than 2500 mature individuals in existence.
Why Should You Care?
It is difficult to argue that people love cats. The average domestic house cat has become a beloved pet and even family member. In fact, between 74-96 million cats are owned as pets in the US (ASPCA). The internet is loaded with videos of adoring cat parents posting videos of their babies doing the cutest things. Although the average person cannot own a large kitty of their own, the wild cats are a very close relative to the house cat. As industries such as the wildlife trade and logging continue to destroy the homes of these cats, their numbers are going to dwindle as well. Some species population numbers are even in the single digits, with sightings extremely rare. It is important to know that every single creature, no matter how minuscule, is vital to its ecosystem. Big cats are carnivores that hunt prey, which in turn, controls populations. According to Dereck Joubert, for National Geographic in Duba Plains, Botswana, "Predators keep prey vital." Large cats such as the African Lion, keep buffalo and hyena populations in check. Without lions to prey upon these beasts, those populations would overgrow the habitat. As a result, the habitat becomes devoid of resources and other populations suffer as well. Ecosystems are maintained through a cycle of predator and prey, where one creature benefits from the next. If the predator is taken out of the picture, the balance is thrown off. So in this case, not only does the cat population suffer, so does every other organism that once shared the habitat with them. The only ones who can help curb the damage is the people who care enough about these wonderful creatures, because we are all they have.