Wild Cat Conservation in China

In collaboration with Beijing Forestry University and the Chinese State Forestry Administration, we are undertaking this Darwin Initiative supported project to strengthened national and local capacity applied to the monitoring and conservation of wild felid species throughout China.

China remains one of the world's most biodiverse nations, with a vast array of ecosystems and species, including 13 of the world's 36 wild felid species. This three year project will address China's lack of capacity and expertise to monitor and manage felid biodiversity within their expanding number of protect areas (PAs). Wild felids are both particularly threatened and particularly good umbrella species, providing a charismatic model for conservation. By galvanizing interest in felids, benefits can cascade widely, and galvanise interest and expertise in biodiversity conservation in general. Over the initial three years of the project until 2013, we will train approximately 800 people, from grassroots PA staff to SFA analysts in Beijing, leading to robust monitoring and informed management of wild felids and their ecosystems. These will be the first such data for many of these species and ecosystems. We will establish five regional centres leaving an enduring legacy safeguarding China's valuable biodiversity.

China holds 13 of the world's 37 wild cat species, six of which are listed in CITES Appendix I (Asiatic golden cat, Catopuma temminckii; Marbled cat, Pardofelis marmorata; Clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa; Leopard, Panthera pardus; Tiger, Panthera tigris; Snow leopard, Panthera uncia), and seven listed in Appendix II (Chinese mountain cat, Felis bieti; Jungle cat, Felis chaus; Pallas' cat, Felis manul; Wildcat, Felis silvestris; Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx; Leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis; Fishing cat, Prionailurus viverrinus). Nine of these species are listed as endangered by IUCN, five critically so. China represents a significant part of the global range of many felid species, and one species (Felis bieti) and several potential subspecies are endemic making it one of the most important countries for felid conservation.

More details are available from our website.