Great Cats [antikvár]

FOREWORD Since the beginning of recorded history cats have fascinated and inspired us. Cats so captivated die Egyptians that they adopted them for their deities, welcomed them in their homes for companionship, and erected spectacular cat-like monuments. Throughout Asia the tiger is considered a symbol of a king's power and in Hinduism it is associated with the main female deity, Durga. Unfortunately, man's coexistence with the great cats has not always been harmonious. They continue to be hunted as pests. The fiirs of the spotted cats have been hunted for fashion accessories. All cats are threatened through loss of habitat due to human activities. It would be a great tragedy if we were to lose any species of this diverse and elegant family from which we have drawn so much cultural richness and enjoyment. Furthermore, as predators they play key roles in natural ecosystems. When World Wide Fund for Namre (WWF) was founded 30 years ago, much of our work focused on the large, more spectacular, forms of wildlife. In 1973 WWF started flmding Project Tiger which with the assistance and fmancial support of the Indian Government and people led to an increase in tiger numbers from less than 2,000 in 1969 to more than 4,000 in 1989. WWF also fimds the worldwide TRAFFIC network, which monitors both the legal and Illegal trade in wildlife products. Trade in the fiirs of spotted cats is a focus for TRAFFIC'S activities. WWF also draws public attention to this issue through its publications and this has helped make these fiirs so unfashionable that their trade has fallen dramatically. Regrettably, the fiir trade of some spotted cats, such as lynx and bobcat, continues at disturbing levels. Nevertheless, the case of the spotted cats shows just how effective good communications can be in achieving conservation objectives. Great Cats will promote a wider appreciation of the beauty of cats and their Importance to us and add to the enjoyment the great cats have provided to humans through the cenmries. Charles de Haes DIRECTOR GENERAL, WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE '41 ^ > ii ' - . V.