BBC - Science & Nature - Conservation

Introduction - What are the threats?

Hunting
Hunting is a major threat to wild cats. Currently they are more often hunted because they attack livestock than for their fur.

To some extent, wild cats are still illegally hunted for their skins or for trophies. During the last century, this international trade was the biggest cause of the massive decline in most cat species. Despite a dramatic u-turn in demand for fur coats and the fact that CITES bans are in force for many species, a relatively small legal trade remains.

Cats are also hunted to supply body parts for traditional medicines.

Conflict with humans
As human settlements expand and more land is taken for agriculture, natural prey becomes more and more scarce. Habitat loss is a big problem because cats require large areas to maintain their food supply.
Without a large enough area to provide sufficient prey, cats resort to killing domestic livestock. Farmers then retaliate to protect their stock. And so the vicious circle continues.

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Introduction

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