Humans are to Blame
Unfortunately, the loss of these beautiful creatures points directly at the actions of humans. Below is a list of the top 3 causes of population decline across all species.
Loss of Habitat
Deforestation is the foremost cause of habitat loss. According to the WWF, deforestation is the process whereby natural forests are cleared through logging and/or burning, either to use the timber or to replace the area for alternative uses. In fact, 12-15 million hectares of forest are lost each year, which is about the size of 36 football fields per minute.
As a result (according to WWF):
With all of these adverse reactions, it is no wonder that the big cat species are having difficulty surviving as their homes are being destroyed. Not only are their homes destroyed, but all of the resources they once relied on to sustain life has also been wiped out. |
|
Wildlife Trade
Wildlife trade can be defined as a situation
"Whenever people sell or exchange wild animal and plant resources. It can involve live animals and plants or all kinds of wild animal and plant products."
According to the WWF, each year, hundreds of millions of plants and animals are caught or harvested from the wild and then sold as food, pets, ornamental plants, leather, tourist curios, and medicine. While most of the trade is legal and not harming wild populations, a worryingly large proportion is illegal and threatens the survival of many endangered species.
Unfortunately, since big cats have beautiful coats, they are sought after and worth a great deal of money which is why they are hunted for their pelts.
"Whenever people sell or exchange wild animal and plant resources. It can involve live animals and plants or all kinds of wild animal and plant products."
According to the WWF, each year, hundreds of millions of plants and animals are caught or harvested from the wild and then sold as food, pets, ornamental plants, leather, tourist curios, and medicine. While most of the trade is legal and not harming wild populations, a worryingly large proportion is illegal and threatens the survival of many endangered species.
Unfortunately, since big cats have beautiful coats, they are sought after and worth a great deal of money which is why they are hunted for their pelts.
Human Conflict
As a result of habitat destruction, the big cats are inevitably forced to find new homes and can sometimes be found closer and closer to human civilization. This becomes an issue because they will then be killed either because the homeowners are scared, or the livestock of farmers is hunted by the cats. A major cause of big cat decline is retaliatory killing, which occurs when farmers and herders take revenge on big cats for attacking their livestock. In recent years, the big cats’ natural prey species have vanished. Without enough native prey to survive, the big cats turn to livestock—especially unprotected livestock—for food (National Geographic).
According to the National Geographic and their Big Cat Incentive, there are ways to keep the peace.
Big Cats Initiative grantees are working to promote coexistence between local pastoralists and big cats by reducing the amount of human-wildlife conflict with these activities:
Although there are ways to prevent retaliation killing, the fact of the matter is that as humans continue to destroy the natural habitats, the cats are going to be forced to move.
According to the National Geographic and their Big Cat Incentive, there are ways to keep the peace.
Big Cats Initiative grantees are working to promote coexistence between local pastoralists and big cats by reducing the amount of human-wildlife conflict with these activities:
- training local villagers to be conflict officers
- building and improving protective livestock corrals
- using tourism as an incentive to raise income and offset livestock losses
- placing tracking collars on big cats that work as a warning system for villagers
- using guard dogs to protect livestock herds
- relocating problem animals from conflict areas
Although there are ways to prevent retaliation killing, the fact of the matter is that as humans continue to destroy the natural habitats, the cats are going to be forced to move.