The future for cheetahs, snow leopards, lions, African wild dogs and many of the world's other carnivore species is in jeopardy. They need your help. The Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2009 is critical to the recovery and protection of over a dozen of the world's most magnificent predators that are currently threatened by habitat loss, poaching, disease and pollution.
In April 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed this legislation with overwhelming support. Please urge the Senate to follow the House of Representatives' lead and pass this important legislation to clear the way for final enactment.
We the undersigned urge you to cosponsor and enact S. 529, the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act.
This bill has been co-sponsored by Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Kerry (D-MA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Companion legislation has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The bill will assist in the recovery and protection of over a dozen critically imperiled species around the world currently threatened by habitat loss, poaching, disease, pollution and human-wildlife conflict. This bill will sustain current conservation activities and expand upon strategic measures to protect and restore species populations.
Similar to existing conservation funds for elephants, tigers and rhinos, great apes, and neotropical migratory birds, the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act would authorize $5 million annually to implement conservation programs. These funds have an established history of generating conservation partnerships and the leveraging of millions of dollars from other sources for projects that are critical to species conservation.
We hope you will join your colleagues in enacting this very important piece of legislation.Thank you for your time.
