World Wildlife Day takes place on 3 March and this year, we're all about the big cats.
Big cats are sleek and beautiful, but how much do you really know about them? To celebrate World Wildlife Day this year, we're bringing you some quick facts about four wildcats - lions, tigers, jaguars and snow leopards.
Tigers
Tiger populations have dropped to dangerously low levels, and because of that, poachers have found a new target - lions. Due to increased demand for wildlife products, especially tiger bones, lions have seen an overall 40% decrease in their numbers over the past three generations.
Tigers are beautiful, ferocious predators which immediately spring to mind when people talk about wildcats. Popular targets for their bones and pelts, they are classified as an endangered species and sites have been set aside for their protection. However, 85% of these protective habitats are understaffed, meaning there are insufficient rangers to ensure their safety. This leaves them vulnerable to poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.
Did you know jaguars are the largest wildcat species in America? However, their historical habitat has shrank to half of its original size due to deforestation. Poachers hunt jaguars to meet demand for their body parts, and jaguars are also targeted in retaliation killings - both factors have contributed greatly to their declining population.
Snow leopards have rich cultural significance - often known as the "ghost of the mountains", these beautiful wildcats play an essential role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystem. However, on top of being threatened by poachers, they now also face danger from retaliation killing, and this threatens the fragile ecosystem and the resources we depend upon for our survival.
These four species are just some of the wildcats which are threatened by poaching. Other dangers include loss of their habitat and revenge killing, which contributes to their declining population. But there are always ways to help save the wildcats, and you can find out more below!
To thank you for all of your support so far this year, we also have a gift for you - our monthly calendars and wallpapers are ready for download, in both desktop and mobile versions!
