2024 Conservation Projects funded by Big Cat Rescue

How many species of wild cats can you name?  4? 14? 34? If your answer wasn’t 41 then this article explains why Big Cat Rescue primarily supports conservation efforts of the less known, smaller, exotic cat species.   To see the cumulative amounts for each project check the pins on the maps for more details. See a complete list of exotic cat species. See our previous InSitu Conservation Work at the links at the bottom of this page.

Tiger Solar Powered Wells for Watering Holes

Big Cat Rescue provided $20,800 to the Corbett Foundation for a project installing solar-powered streetlights around camp perimeters. By illuminating these areas, the project reduces human-carnivore conflict, which often leads to retaliatory killings of tigers that stray into human settlements at night. Working with the Corbett Foundation to save tigers from thirst. One of the biggest threats to tigers is conflict with humans who live in areas neighboring the tiger territory. In this region, climate change has resulted in more erratic monsoons. This has affected the natural rivers and streams. In the dry season, they dry up more quickly than they used to. Thirst causes the tigers to enter the more populated areas they would normally avoid in search of water. This creates a danger to the people and killing of tigers. Corbett Foundation has a very clever solution: solar powered pumps connected to “bore-wells” to create watering holes for the animals. The wells are made by using a machine to drive pipe 100 to 300 feet into the ground to reach the water level. An array of six 3’ x 6’ solar panels is installed to operate the pump. A chain link fence is erected around the solar array to protect it. The Forest Department constructs the pool that holds the water. The well, pump, solar panels, and the labor to install these costs $4800 for each well.

Saving Rusty Spotted Cats by Working With Stakeholders

Working with our partners at SWCCF and Roshan Babu Adhikari our objectives were: (1) To conduct the participatory workshops with local stakeholders (communities, park/forest authorities, road departments, traffic police offices); (2) To install road sign-posts in highway and accessories road network in project site; (3) To build predator-proof chicken houses for the local farmers.

Saving the Oncilla AKA the Northern Tiger Cat

Working with our partners at SWCCF and José Daniel Ramírez-Fernández our objectives were: 1. Understand and assess the situation and the threat posed by free-ranging dogs and cats to small wild cats in communities around the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. 2. Implement vaccination of dogs and cats to reduce wildlife disease transmission potential in the region. 3. Implement a communication campaign on small wild cat conservation and the results obtained, and to promote responsible pet ownership among neighbours of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Saving Margay and Jaguarundi From Thirst

Partnering with the SWCCF and Marvin Recinos in El Salvador our objectives were: (1) We prioritized the strategic installation of 25 water troughs to protect the Margay and Jaguarundi in San Pedro Nonualco, ensuring a constant supply of water and significantly reducing the deaths from collisions and other risks faced by these two species and their prey during dry seasons. (2) We remain committed to restoring the habitats of these species, including restoring degraded forests and mitigating human threats. (3) It is essential to maintain education and awareness campaigns in the local communities that share their environment with these species. These actions are key to promoting harmony between humans and wildlife, ensuring the survival and conservation of both the Margay and the Jaguarundi.

Saving the Ocelot – Mexico

Big Cat Rescue funded $5,000 to Fundación Cumbres Blancas A.C. for a spay/neuter and vaccination program targeting feral and free-roaming dogs. This project, supported in December 2024, aims to reduce the transmission of carnivore distemper to wild cats like the ocelot.

Saving the Cheetah – Kenya

With a grant of $4,250 to the Felidae Conservation Fund, Big Cat Rescue is supporting multiple initiatives. These include funding travel and lodging for three Tsavo Cheetah Project team members to attend the Nairobi National Action Plan workshop (January 28-29). The team will present educational materials while convening with 14 conservancies, ranch staff, and the Kenya Wildlife Service at a one-day workshop in Tsavo to mitigate human-cheetah conflict. Funds also cover monitoring cheetahs in high-risk areas near electric fences, where cheetahs can become trapped, injured, or electrocuted, as well as field equipment for local staff.

Saving the African Golden Cat – Uganda

A $5,000 grant to Embaka-Saving the African Golden Cat supports initiatives to protect the African golden cat in Budong Forest Reserve. This project includes (1) providing livestock seeds as alternatives to bushmeat hunting, (2) supporting village saving banks for soft household loans to reduce poverty, and (3) monitoring the impact of these efforts through interviews and conservation awareness activities that discourage poaching.

Saving the Clouded Leopard – Nepal

Big Cat Rescue funded $6,000 to the Clouded Leopard Working Group for a vaccination and spay/neuter campaign targeting feral dogs. This initiative helps prevent disease transmission to clouded leopards and builds conservation awareness within local communities.

Saving the Pampas Cat – Uruguay

With $5,000 to Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, this project focuses on protecting the Pampas cat by: (1) monitoring populations in central Uruguay, (2) engaging schools and landowners in a participatory monitoring program, (3) fostering cultural appreciation for the Pampas cat, (4) promoting conservation strategies like exclusion zones, dog control, and anti-predation chicken coops, and (5) strengthening conservation collaboration with Brazil.

Saving the Colocolo – Chile

Big Cat Rescue granted $8,500 to the Pampas Cat Working Group for conservation initiatives in Vilches Alto. Goals include vaccinating 75% of domestic animals, deworming pets interacting with wildlife, reducing human-pampas cat conflict by improving hen houses, and creating educational animations for children highlighting threats faced by small wild cats.

Saving the Flat-headed Cat – Indonesia

A $7,285 grant to Erwin Wilianto funds survey work in Berbak and Sembilang National Park, a 202,896-hectare lowland-dominated area spanning Jambi and South Sumatra. This project focuses on assessing the presence and distribution of flat-headed cats, with most funds supporting fieldwork and local staff salaries.

Saving the Small Wild Cats of Peru

Big Cat Rescue provided $5,000 to Centro de Investigacion Biodiversidad Sostenible for a project benefitting Pampas cats, ocelots, tiger cats, margays, Andean cats, and jaguarundis. Efforts include building predator-proof chicken coops, vaccinating and sterilizing feral and domestic dogs, and educating residents to foster conservation support and reduce human-cat conflict.

Saving the Small Wild Cats of Ecuador

A $8,550 grant to Centro de Investigacion Biodiversidad Sostenible funded half the budget for the second Small Cat Conference in Ecuador. The conference aims to: (1) share current conservation successes and challenges, (2) explore practical solutions to mitigate threats faced by small wild cats, and (3) forge alliances to amplify conservation efforts across Latin America.

Saving the Small Wild Cats of Mexico

Big Cat Rescue provided $5,000 to Fundación Cumbres Blancas A.C. for predator-proof chicken coops, vaccination/spay-neuter programs for dogs, and educational outreach to reduce disease transmission and human-cat conflict for ocelots, jaguarundis, and margays.

Saving the Small Wild Cats of Brazil

With $5,000 to Flavia Tirelli, this project protects Geoffroy’s cats, Pampas cats, margays, southern tiger cats, ocelots, and jaguarundis. Efforts include predator-proof chicken coops, dog vaccination/spay-neuter programs, and community education to reduce disease spread and human-cat conflicts.

Saving the Small Wild Cats of Costa Rica

A $5,000 grant to Asociaciona AWA Conservacion funds similar efforts: predator-proof chicken coops, spay/neuter programs, and conservation education for ocelots, jaguarundis, margays, and clouded oncillas to protect wild cat populations in Costa Rica.

Saving the Small Wild Cats of Ecuador

Big Cat Rescue funded $2,083 to purchase Browning cameras for the Pampas Cat Working Group to be distributed during the Small Cat Conference in Ecuador. These cameras will aid monitoring and conservation efforts.

See More InSitu Work Funded by Big Cat Rescue

See the current year of InSitu work and map here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu/

See InSitu work from 2024 here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu2024/

See InSitu work from 2023 here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu2023/

See InSitu work from 2022 here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu2022/

See InSitu work from 2021 here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu2021/

See InSitu work from 2020 here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu2020/

See InSitu work from 2019 here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu2019/

See InSitu work from 2018 here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu2018/

See InSitu work from 2017 here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu2017/

See InSitu work from 2016 and before here:  https://bigcatrescue.org/insitu2016/