Jaguar
Incomparably powerful and confident, the jaguar is the most elusive of the big cats and is difficult to spot in the forest.
Illegal Trade in Wildlife is one of many threats to species, which include habitat loss due to land transformation for agriculture and development, human-wildlife conflict caused by animals and humans being pushed closer together as wild ranges disappear, climate change and overconsumption or unsustainable use.
At the heart of illegal trade is the unsustainable demand for wildlife and wildlife products, which in turn motivates both opportunistic poaching and harvesting and organized crime. These species and many others need your help.
This year's World Wildlife Day, March 3, spotlights endangered big cats. Learn about the lion, jaguar, snow leopard, and tiger, then join the
Big Cats Team Challenge!
The winning project will be announced April 22nd.
Lion
Lions are known for being strong, ferocious and commanding. But behind the fierce façade, these big cats are social animals that live in tight units called prides where sisters look after, and will even nurse, one another’s cubs.
Snow Leopard
Large, swift and gentle, the snow leopard is a member of the big cat family found high in the Central and South Asian mountains.
Tiger
Tigers are self sufficient, courageous predators that know what they want and know how to get it. This makes them quite formidable in competition.
Rhino
Rhinos prefer to roam the world on their own and jump from even-tempered to volatile. They're also stubborn to a fault.
Vaquita
The elusive, shy and tiny Vaquita is a rare species of porpoise endemic (meaning that it exists no where else on planet earth) to the northern part of the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez).
Sawfish
Clever, sensible and built for camouflage, the sawfish, also known as a carpenter shark, is actually part of the ray family.
Sun Bear
Sun bears depend heavily on forests, and deforestation in Southeast Asia is quickly destroying their habitat.
Tibetan Antelope
As an adaptation, they are kept insulated in the harsh conditions of the Tibetan plateau by a warm wool coat.
Hyacinth Macaw
The striking blue Hyacinth Macaw are known for being vibrant, lively, and incredibly social within their flocks.
Elephant
Elephants are intelligent, emotional creatures. Herd leaders are often chosen not for their dominance but rather for their intelligence and problem solving skills.
Helmeted Hornbill
Helmeted hornbills are known for their loyalty. They choose one mate for life and are fiercely protective of their family and homes.
Orangutan
Orangutans are called the ‘people of the forest’. They love their alone time, and are known to forge strong bonds of friendship.
Pangolin
Pangolins are solitary, nocturnal animals that tend to have picky tastes, and often choose to wait for their preference rather than settling for anything less.
Rosewood
Rosewoods are large trees that are both exceptionally strong and exceptionally beautiful. They can live for hundreds of years, providing shelter for a host of forest animals and flora.
Sea Turtle
Sea turtles are slow on land but quick and agile in the water. This animal strikes a balance between embarking on adventures and maintaining a comfortable pace.