Battling “Conservation Greenwashing”
Greenwashing
A little known part of our advocacy work that I don’t recall us ever writing about before is something we refer to as “conservation greenwashing.”
What is it?
The term describes organizations or people whose primary activities in our view are harmful to animals but who try to cloak those activities by falsely spinning conservation as their primary mission. We write about it now because of what we view as a greenwashing effort that we became aware of in just the past few days.
Historically, one of the people most known for this greenwashing in our view was “Doc” Antle, the operator of one of the largest tiger cub petting operations. He set up a nonprofit organization doing business as Rare Species Fund that donated a small portion of its revenue to alleged conservation projects around the world and used this as credentials to assert that he and his organization were devoted to conservation. In 2023 after Antle’s arrest on multiple charges South Carolina suspended the organization’s license.
However, in a roundabout way Antle’s behavior led us to one of our most successful long term conservation partnerships. A decade ago Antle made a donation to the Corbett Foundation in India who do outstanding work protecting tigers. The donation had a selfish motive - it was related to seeking a permit from USFWS to import or export tigers. When one of the large US based animal welfare organizations explained to Corbett who Antle was, much to their credit, Corbett returned his donation to avoid being associated with him. When it came time in 2016 for us to rescue the tiger named Hoover from Peru, we donated $5000 to Corbett as part of our permit application to reward them for doing what we strongly felt was the “right thing” by returning Antle’s funds. This led to a decade of us raising funds annually each International Tiger Day to support wonderful conservation projects Corbett manages.
The Greenwashing concept was also the basis for our very heavy involvement in the award winning documentary The Conservation Game that exposed the lies of “celebrity conservationists” like Jack Hanna who obtained tiger cubs from horrible breeders and lied about their sources and where the cubs end up on the late night talk shows, and claimed this was all in the name of conservation.
So what happened this week? There is an organization called Feline Conservation Foundation, previously known as Feline Conservation Federation, and originally in 1956 known as the Long Island Ocelot Club. Basically it is a bunch of breeders and owners of exotic cats who for decades have ENCOURAGED ownership of exotic cats as pets. The FCF were also vocal in their unsuccessful efforts to stop the Big Cat Public Safety Act from passing. This bill ended private ownership of tigers, lions, leopards, jaguars and cougars and stopped the pay to play industry that used their cubs as money making props. But you certainly would not get that impression from their website. It states in the opening paragraph that they have “a mission to advance wild feline conservation.”
How much funding of in situ projects do they do? Their website proudly claims “over the past decade, we have dedicated over $100,000 to these vital initiatives,” i.e., an average of just $10k per year. What are these projects? Their website names just two., one of which has asked to be removed from their website.
How did this come to our attention recently?
In the last few days FCF sent an email to one of the conservationists we support containing an “MoU” (Memorandum of Understanding) saying that FCF had awarded them a donation of $2500 but requiring a long list of terms, much of which promoting FCF. Then, a second one of our recipients reported a similar letter offering $7500, and then a third reported a similar letter offering $2500.
Fortunately, each of them reached out to our primary source of project recommendations, Dr. Jim Sanderson, a leading small exotic cat expert, who asked for our input. Each of the conservationists, despite their persistent need of funding, declined the offers from FCF to avoid being associated with them and to avoid having their organizations’ good names be used by FCF to “greenwash” FCFs support of owning exotic cats as pets.
In order for these wonderful conservation organizations not to suffer from their decisions, in all three cases Big Cat Rescue has sent to them the amount of funding that was offered by FCF. Your donations allow us to provide this kind of support to people around the world working to keep wild exotic cats from going extinct. Thank you! - Howard Baskin
The One-Word Shift Gutting the Endangered Species Act: Why Habitat Protection is Under Fire
For over 50 years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has served as America’s most powerful shield against extinction, saving 99% of protected species from disappearing. However, a silent regulatory shift announced on July 10, 2026, seeks to dismantle this legacy by redefining a single word: "harm"
The Fall of Animalandia Maya: Playa del Carmen Shutdown In May 2026, Mexican law enforcement conducted a major raid on Animalandia Maya, a controversial tourist site in Playa del Carmen known for offering photos with exotic wildlife. The operation resulted in the arrest of the owner and several employees, as well as the seizure of tigers, lions, and monkeys that were allegedly being exploited. This intervention followed years of public outcry and pressure from animal welfare organizations regarding the suspected sedation and mistreatment of the animals. While the business has successfully used legal loopholes to reopen after past closures, the scale of this coordinated police action suggests a permanent shutdown. The incident highlights a significant victory for activists fighting against the commercial use of endangered species in the Riviera Maya.
Nepal’s Controversial Shift Toward Private Zoos and Wildlife Centers The provided text examines Nepal’s controversial proposal to legalize private zoos and wildlife rescue centers, a move intended to bolster conservation infrastructure and public engagement. While supporters believe these new guidelines provide a much-needed regulatory framework, critics fear that vague definitions and weak oversight could allow facilities to exploit animals for profit. Experts warn that without strict enforcement and specialized staff, these centers might inadvertently encourage the illegal capture of wild species under the guise of rehabilitation. To prevent these risks, observers suggest adopting rigorous licensing standards similar to those used in India, which emphasize animal welfare over commercial gain. Ultimately, the article highlights the difficult balance Nepal faces between private investment and protecting its successful history of wildlife conservation.
The provided report from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime exposes how Facebook has become the primary global infrastructure for the illegal wildlife trade. Data collected by the Global Monitoring System reveals that nearly 75% of illicit wildlife advertisements appear on the platform, frequently involving critically endangered species protected by international law. The authors argue that algorithmic recommendations and thematic groups actively facilitate these criminal networks, often surfacing illegal content to users without a search. Despite public pledges to combat trafficking, Meta's internal enforcement and voluntary self-regulation are described as largely ineffective and plagued by multilingual moderation failures. To address this biodiversity crisis, the report calls for international regulatory coordination and the imposition of legal duties on social media companies to end platform-scale exploitation.
Recent research published in Science establishes a direct link between the global wildlife trade and the transmission of zoonotic pathogens from mammals to humans. By analyzing four decades of data, scientists discovered that traded mammal species are significantly more likely to share infectious diseases with humans than those not involved in commerce. A critical finding reveals that for every ten years a species remains in the international market, it typically gains one additional shared pathogen with the human population. The risk of disease exchange is further heightened when animals are traded live or through illegal channels, where sanitary oversight is absent. These results suggest that the duration and intensity of human-animal contact in trade networks are primary drivers of potential epidemics and pandemics. Consequently, the authors advocate for stricter biosurveillance and updated international regulations to mitigate the inherent health risks posed by the commercial use of wildlife.
This report, titled Law of the Tiger, provides a comprehensive 2025 analysis of the legal frameworks governing tiger trafficking across twelve range states. It evaluates how national laws address critical issues such as interagency enforcement, mandatory confiscation, and the regulation of captive breeding facilities. The authors identify significant legal gaps regarding digital marketplaces, the status of hybrid tigers, and the management of confiscated stockpiles. To combat the transnational organized crime of wildlife trade, the document advocates for standardized definitions, enhanced investigative powers for frontline officers, and the integration of anti-money laundering tools. Ultimately, the publication serves as a guide for governments to harmonize their criminal justice responses and strengthen protections for wild tiger populations.
This report highlights the extreme dangers and psychological trauma experienced by wildlife rangers, who serve as the primary defense for global biodiversity. Recent violent attacks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo underscore a growing trend where these workers face armed militias and organized crime with insufficient institutional support. Beyond physical threats, the text emphasizes that mental health neglect leads to poor decision-making and high staff turnover, which ultimately compromises conservation goals. While some organizations are beginning to offer counseling and family aid, these support systems remain dangerously underdeveloped compared to other high-risk professions. Experts argue that the international community must prioritize ranger wellbeing to ensure the long-term sustainability of protected natural areas.
Costa Rica has reinforced its commitment to environmental leadership by establishing a permanent ban on sport hunting for all wild species. This legislative move aims to safeguard the nation’s vast biodiversity, including iconic animals like jaguars and macaws, while deterring illegal trafficking through strict legal penalties. By prioritizing wildlife conservation, the country supports a thriving eco-tourism economy that provides sustainable income for local communities and small businesses. Beyond financial benefits, the policy protects essential ecosystems that provide clean water and fertile soil, contributing to the overall health and longevity of the population. This shift from resource extraction to nature appreciation serves as a global model for how environmental protection can coexist with economic prosperity. Ultimately, officials hope this decisive action will inspire international efforts to adopt similar protections for the natural world.
The global e-commerce giant Etsy has officially announced a prohibition on animal fur sales starting in August 2026, marking a significant victory for the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade after an intensive protest campaign. This policy update targets natural pelts from animals like mink and fox while still allowing for taxidermy and leather byproducts. This shift reflects a broader trend within the fashion world, as numerous international brands, publications, and countries are increasingly rejecting wildlife-derived materials. However, the industry remains polarized, as the European Union faces internal debates over farming bans while Canadian fur auctions report record-breaking prices and sustained demand. Ultimately, while animal rights advocacy is rapidly transforming the retail landscape, the debate over the ethics and economic value of fur continues globally.
Recent polling data indicates that South Africa faces significant economic and reputational risks if it fails to dismantle its commercial captive lion breeding industry. A survey of over 2,500 respondents shows that a majority of international tourists would likely avoid the country if the government reverses its 2021 commitment to end the practice. Critics argue that activities like canned hunting and cub petting offer no conservation value and threaten approximately 66,000 tourism-related jobs. Both domestic and foreign audiences expressed a strong preference for ethical wildlife experiences over the exploitation of captive predators. Advocacy groups are now urging officials to eliminate further delays and implement a formal phase-out plan to protect the nation's vital travel sector.
The provided text chronicles the apprehension of Chu Dang Khoa, a notorious figure in the illegal wildlife trade known as the "Diamond King." Authorities in South Africa arrested Khoa for his leadership role in a syndicate responsible for smuggling rhino horns and tiger parts to Asian markets. Investigators linked his legitimate business fronts to a staged robbery involving nearly one hundred rhino horns, exposing the criminal operations behind his wildlife facilities. According to Education for Nature - Vietnam, this arrest represents a critical achievement in the global effort to dismantle transnational organized crime. By targeting high-level traffickers, law enforcement aims to disrupt established networks and provide a deterrent against future poaching. Ultimately, the source highlights the necessity of international cooperation in bringing high-profile environmental criminals to justice.
The provided sources detail a landmark decision by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency to officially ban new permits for captive lion facilities in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. This regulatory shift aims to phase out the controversial industry by prohibiting future breeding, stopping the importation of captive lions, and implementing a sterilization program. By aligning with national conservation mandates, provincial authorities are moving away from commercialized animal interactions, such as cub petting and canned hunting, to protect the country's international reputation. The transition focuses on fostering ethical, wild-based tourism and prioritizing the welfare of lions in their natural habitats. While existing facilities will not close immediately, they must adhere to strict welfare standards as the province redirects investment toward nature reserves and sustainable wildlife management. This policy represents a significant victory for animal rights advocates and marks a decisive pivot toward authentic African safari experiences.
Muskoka facility becomes Canada's first big cat sanctuary as CTV investigation exposes roadside zoo abuses. New law ends private ownership of lions and tigers.
The removal of South Africa's progressive Environment Minister Dion George marks a dangerous setback for big cat conservation and wildlife protection worldwide.
South Africa’s captive lion industry keeps 8,000 lions behind bars for profit. Ahead of World Lion Day, global advocates demand action to end breeding, cub petting, and exploitation—before it’s too late.
The tragic killing of Blondie, a legendary lion lured from Hwange National Park by trophy hunters, highlights the urgent need to ban this cruel practice and protect Africa’s wildlife.
An investigation into African Parks reveals the darker side of conservation—community exclusion, militarization, and human rights concerns. Discover how to support ethical, inclusive wildlife protection.
Secret wildlife shops in Laos are scamming elderly Chinese tourists into buying ivory, rhino horn, and tiger products. Here’s how you can help stop the illegal wildlife trade.
Carole Baskin
Carole Baskin is the founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue and author of this web page. Since 1992, she has worked to end the exploitation of exotic cats and now leads the non profit's efforts to protect wild cats in the wild by funding innovative threat mitigation programs that allow humans and wild cats to co-exist in peace.