Bangladesh Joins International Big Cat Alliance, Expanding Global Conservation Effort to 27 Nations
Bangladesh has officially become the newest member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), raising the total number of member countries to 27, according to an announcement by the alliance on Wednesday.
The IBCA, a treaty-based global entity launched in 2024 under India's leadership, aims to coordinate conservation efforts for seven big cat species: the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. India is home to five of these species, excluding the jaguar and puma, which are found primarily in the Americas.
With Bangladesh's accession, the alliance now includes a diverse group of nations, including founding member India, as well as Russia, Cambodia, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Armenia, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Rwanda, Angola, Myanmar, and Saudi Arabia, among others.
The IBCA, headquartered in New Delhi, facilitates collaboration among range countries, conservation organizations, and experts. Its primary objective is to share successful practices and resources to protect big cats and their habitats globally. There are 95 countries worldwide that have habitats for one or more big cats; of these, 27 are now IBCA members, with an additional five participating as observers.
In a statement on social media, the IBCA said, 'This important milestone strengthens international cooperation for the conservation of #BigCats and their habitats, and reinforces our shared commitment to safeguarding these iconic species and the ecosystems they inhabit for future generations.'
The alliance focuses on supporting conservation projects, promoting sustainable development, and raising awareness about the ecological importance of big cats. By expanding its membership, the IBCA aims to create a unified global front to counter threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict.
