World Wildlife Day: Big Cats in Focus

On Saturday, 3 March 2018, the international World Wildlife Day is being observed around the globe.

In 2018, it is dedicated to threatened big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and lynxes. Various events on the subject are also taking place in Switzerland.

The UN General Assembly designated 3 March as World Wildlife Day. On this day, attention is to be drawn to the diversity of life forms, and in particular to endangered animal and plant species.

Big cat populations declining at an alarming rate

Big cats are among the most fascinating mammals in the world. At the same time, their populations are declining at an alarming rate worldwide. The reasons include habitat loss, lack of prey, conflicts with humans, poaching, and illegal trade. The tiger population, for example, has declined by 95 percent over the last hundred years, despite a hunting ban introduced in 1987. At the same time, the lion population in Africa fell by 40 percent in less than 20 years.

In Switzerland, the lynx was reintroduced 40 years ago. Since then, a stable population has been established. The lynx finds the habitat suitable and has sufficient prey. Nevertheless, the species is still considered endangered because the colonised area is still too small. Switzerland bears a special responsibility for its conservation in the Alpine region.

The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) is organizing, together with the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and international bodies — the CITES Secretariat and the Cat Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) — various activities on the topic of big cat conservation. Also involved are the Tierpark Bern, the Open Church, and the Church of the Holy Spirit in Bern.

World Wildlife Day, 3 March 2018, in Bern

This year's World Wildlife Day is dedicated to the beauty and protection of big cats. At a symposium, experts will shed light on the situation of big cats around the world and in Switzerland. The Tierpark Bern will offer guided tours of the carnivore species kept there. Information on wild cats will be presented at stands in the Church of the Holy Spirit. In addition, a panel discussion will explore the question of how protection can be improved, particularly through the involvement of local communities. The spiritual connection between nature and various religions and traditions will be explored during a ceremony. The event will be framed by image projections on the façade of the Church of the Holy Spirit.

Species conservation in Switzerland and worldwide

National and international cooperation is central to the effective protection of plant and animal species. Switzerland implements national laws and international agreements, and is committed to species conservation at both the international and national level. The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) is the Swiss enforcement authority for the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Responsibility for the conservation of biodiversity in Switzerland lies with the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). Cantons and municipalities, as well as private organizations, also make a valuable contribution through the establishment of protected zones. International species conservation is only possible thanks to the support of numerous initiatives from the countries of origin of endangered species, the commitment of conventions such as the CMS (Convention on Migratory Species) and CITES, the many activities of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources), the WWF, and others.

On behalf of the United Nations, CITES coordinates various activities at the international level. World Wildlife Day was proclaimed on 20 December 2013 by the UN General Assembly, and activities are held every year on 3 March. More on wildlife and environment and nature conservation.