IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Loveridge, A.J. | |
| Wild Felids and People | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Wild felids have always been a source of fascination for people and our relationships with them vary from awe and inspiration to fear and loathing. This presentation seeks to explore a few of the issues surrounding our seemingly ambiguous relationship with the wild Felidae. Images of felids are used to symbolise the strengths of governments and chiefdoms, adorn our currencies, coats of arms and emblems of national sports teams and guard our sacred and ceremonial places. Their skins are sought-after fashion items, their body parts are used in traditional medicines and felid hunting trophies (particularly the large felids) command high prices. Felids are a significant attraction for tourists visiting wild places and are often iconic flagship species for conserving wild habitats. Yet at the same time, felids impact the lives and livelihoods of people who must live alongside them and wild felids have been extirpated in many places as a result. Livestock killing and man-eating by large felids are non-trivial costs borne by local communities, particularly in areas where big cats roam freely. In terms of conservation there is much advantage in the fact that felids are charismatic enough to capture our imagination and earn our admiration. However there are also many challenges to conserving creatures with sharp claws and teeth and carnivorous appetites. If felid species and the environments in which wild populations thrive are to be conserved for the future we must address conflicts with local people. We must find novel ways to incentivise conservation of felids and their habitats and find ways to educate people about their value to ensure communities and cats are able to co-exist. |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |