Big cats hit the big screen on World Wildlife Day 2018

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The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) announced Sunday that an international film festival will be held to raise global awareness of the critical challenges facing the world's big cats.

Next year's UN World Wildlife Day, which will fall on March 3, will include the film festival, which is to be co-sponsored by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, CITES said.

CITES Secretary-General, John E. Scanlon, said: "All big cats are protected under CITES because unregulated and illegal trade poses serious threats to their survival. World Wildlife Day 2018 and the film festival give us a unique opportunity to raise awareness about their plight as well as the ongoing national and global efforts to save these majestic species."

CITES photo

The Festival will generate the level of attention big cats all deserve, to ensure they are with us for generations to come, he added.

"At a time when the crisis can still be averted, it is essential to take action that empowers local engagement and personal commitment," explained Lisa Samford, Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.

"Our aim is to galvanize the power of media to inspire wonder, catalyze change and move the dial on the conservation of big cats. The festival will also engage the voices of local people from communities who are living with big cats, and seeking to support their conservation while securing a sustainable livelihood," Lisa said.

CITES photo

According to CITES, big cats are among the most widely recognized and admired animals across the globe. However, today these charismatic predators are facing many varied threats, most of which are caused by human activities.

The UN agency said that over the past century, we have been losing big cats at an alarming rate due to loss of habitat and prey, conflicts with people, poaching and illegal trade.

For example, CITES figures show that tiger populations plummeted by 95 percent over the past 100 years and African lion populations dropped by 40 percent in just 20 years.

The CITES Secretariat was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to be the global coordinator for the World Wildlife Day celebrations each year, and collaborate with organizations in the United Nations system.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency