Habitat Loss Threatens the World's Large Wild Cats

Cats that live in the wild may be in danger. Scientists have found that almost half of the 36 species of felids that live in the wild in the world are at risk. However, a lack of studies regarding their main hurdle, the loss and fragmentation of their habitat, limits conservations strategies.

The most endangered felid in the world is the Iberian lynx. Yet this large cat is hit on Spanish roads on a habitual basis. Habitat fragmentation has continually threatened this species, and others like it.

In order to assess the status of the Iberian lynx and other big cat species in the world, the researchers reviewed the scientific literature that exists on the main threat for these mammals: the loss and fragmentation of their habitats. In all, the scientists only found 162 studies which evaluated threats affecting felids.

"These figures clearly indicate that in general there is a lack of knowledge on this topic, which especially affects felid conservations," said Francisco Palomares, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Without proper scientific knowledge it is hard to set up effective conservations strategies."

North America and Europe generate the greatest amount of research on the effect of habitat loss on large cats. However, the real effect of this threat is still unknown for 16 species of large cats, including the flat-headed cat and the fishing cat. Both are in danger of extinction, and very few studies exist for conservation methods.

The researchers highlight the need to tackle new areas of research for large cats, including differentiating habitat loss from the effects of fragmentation, selecting priority areas for conservation, and analyzing the consequences of habitat loss."

"Felid conservationists must start to design more theoretical protects and apply the new tools and methodologies available in research on landscape and wildlife," write the researchers.

The findings are published in the journal Oryx.

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).