Big cats have captivated people as far back as history has documented. They have held a prominent place in art and culture and are a symbol of integrity and functionality of ecosystems they live in.

Lions, snow leopards and jaguars are not just magnificent animals, they are also key to healthy ecosystems, and provide benefits to people and the economy.

In Asia, an estimated 330 million people live within 10 km of rivers originating in the snow leopard habitat, also known as water towers of Asia, which provide a vital source of fresh water.

In Africa, lions and the wildlife tourism industry generate more than 200 million USD every year for Sub-Saharan African countries.

In Latin America, the jaguar range represents 8.6% of the world’s land surface area but supports nearly 28% of the world’s biodiversity and provides over 17% of the world’s carbon storage and sequestration. 

This can only be ensured if efforts to conserve lions, jaguars, and snow leopards, put indigenous communities, and local people, at the center of decision making, and ensure they reap benefits from the conservation of these big cats.

WWF and Panthera are partnering to minimize the threats these emblematic big cats face and protect the crucial biodiversity that exists within their landscapes through actively engaging local communities, based on the principles of equality, inclusion, mutual trust, and capacity building.

The partnership will include working through four pathways, bringing in a people-centric perspective to addressing conflict, and moving towards shared well-being for people and big cats.