Great Cats and Rare Canids Act Passes the House!

Yesterday, on the 39th Earth Day, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 290 to 118 to pass the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act. This act would provide millions of dollars in conservation funding annually to study and protect twelve species of wild cats and dogs globally, including clouded leopards, cheetahs, snow leopards, and African wild dogs. The bill aims to support efforts to lessen poaching and smuggling, protect critical habitat, and support education related to these species in their native ranges. If enacted, the bill will have the potential to provide additional funding to efforts such as those undertaken by the Clouded Leopard Project.

The act previously passed in the House in 2008, but never advanced for a vote in the Senate. We are optimistic that in 2009 it will pass the Senate and be signed into law by the President.

The Clouded Leopard Project extends its gratitude to Washington state Congressman Jay Inslee for sponsoring this crucial piece of legislation to protect clouded leopards and other rare cats and canids.