OUTREACH AWARENESS

Global Tiger Day webinar hosted by IBCA on 'Securing the Future for Tiger Conservation: Knowledge, Best Practices, and Strategies' brought together experts from around the world. In his welcome address, Dr SP Yadav,Director General of IBCA, highlighted that tiger conservation brings cascading ecological and economic benefits, contributing significantly to climate resilience. He acknowledged positive population trends in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Russia, while emphasising that IBCA’s role is vital in supporting tiger range countries still facing population decline and critical threats. Dr Rajesh Gopal, Secretary General, United for Tigers, stressed that effective tiger conservation begins with ensuring a healthy prey base, proper habitat conditions, and region-specific strategies. He pointed out that while South Asian countries have made significant progress, Southeast Asia faces severe setbacks, with some nations losing their wild tiger populations entirely. He called for continued international collaboration, guided by platforms like the Global Tiger Recovery Programme and the IBCA, to restore and secure tiger populations globally. Dr Madhu Verma of Iora Ecological Solutions presented a compelling economic valuation of tiger habitats. She revealed that an investment of a single Indian rupee (88.41 dollar) in tiger conservation can yield a return of up to 530 times, as demonstrated in the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in the state of West Bengal in India. She emphasised the often-unseen value of ecosystem services such as water security, climate regulation, and soil conservation and stressed the need for greater investment and policy recognition of these natural assets.

Dr Sivanathan Elagupillay, Tiger Lead Specialist, IBCA, Malaysia, shared the dire situation of the Malayan tiger, now critically endangered with fewer than 200 individuals remaining. He highlighted key threats like poaching and wire snare traps, and discussed Malaysia’s conservation efforts. These include the first national tiger survey, the establishment of ecological corridors, the creation of a national tiger task force, and the designation of the country’s first tiger reserve outside India. Today the national football team’s mascot is a tiger. Mr Ugyen Tshering, Chief Forestry Officer, Bhutan, stated that his country is currently home to 131 wild tigers. These tigers are being recorded at a remarkable range of elevations, from as low as 80 m to as high as 4,400 m, with breeding activity observed across these zones. He highlighted Bhutan’s extensive protected area coverage (52%), the cultural significance of tigers, and ongoing challenges like human-tiger conflict, habitat degradation, and fragmentation. He also introduced the Tiger Action Plan for Bhutan 2024-2033, which outlines strategies for long-term conservation.

Mr Soumitra Dasgupta, director, Programme, IBCA, while delivering the vote of thanks acknowledged the collective wisdom and commitment shared during the session. The webinar was moderated by Dr Kausik Banerjee, Lead Specialist, IBCA, with the support of Mr. Aditya Bisht, Programme Associate, IBCA.

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organized a webinar to commemorate International Cheetah Day, bringing together distinguished experts, conservation leaders, and partner representatives to reflect on global cheetah conservation efforts and emerging opportunities.

Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Director (Program), IBCA, delivered the welcome address and extended a warm greeting to all speakers and participants. He highlighted the significance of International Cheetah Day in strengthening global dialogue on cheetah conservation and broader big cat protection. He also emphasized IBCA’s evolving role as a platform for scientific collaboration, policy support, and shared learning among countries engaged in big cat conservation.

Dr. Rajesh Gopal, Secretary General of the Global Tiger Forum and Chair of India’s Cheetah Project Steering Committee, spoke about India’s cheetah reintroduction programme as a landmark conservation initiative. He recalled the historic arrival of cheetahs in Kuno National Park on 17 September 2022 and noted the encouraging progress of the population despite ecological and geographical challenges. He shared that new potential habitats have been identified in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and stressed the importance of adopting a landscape-level strategy for future expansion. He concluded by underlining the essential role of collaboration among government agencies, sanctuaries, experts, and local communities.

Dr. Gobind Sagar Bhardwaj, Director of the Wildlife Institute of India, explained the cheetah’s role as a flagship species for savanna and open woodland ecosystems. He noted the strong political and legal support for cheetah conservation in India and highlighted the growing potential of ecotourism to benefit local communities. He also provided a summary of India’s cheetah journey, beginning with the reintroduction of eight cheetahs from Namibia in 2022 and twelve cheetahs from South Africa in 2023.

Dr. Laurie Marker, Executive Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, shared a recorded message in which she extended her greetings on International Cheetah Day. She recognised the importance of the occasion and celebrated the ongoing dedication of scientists, conservationists, governments, and communities working to secure a sustainable future for the species.

Mr. Maxwell Nyounway, IBCA Focal Point for Liberia, highlighted the ecological importance of cheetahs and the need to enhance public awareness of their conservation. He emphasized that sustained collaboration and collective commitment are vital for ensuring long-term protection and expressed his appreciation for IBCA’s leadership in advancing global big cat conservation.

Dr. Amit Mallik, Director (International Cooperation), IBCA, delivered the vote of thanks. He acknowledged the valuable contributions of all speakers and participants, appreciated the dedication of conservation teams working on the ground, and recognised the continued support of government agencies and partner organisations.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to strengthening international cooperation and advancing landscape-level strategies for the conservation of cheetahs and other big cat species.

IBCA hosted a special webinar on the occasion of International Snow Leopard Day, bringing together leading experts, government representatives, and conservation practitioners to highlight global efforts for the protection of snow leopards and their fragile high-mountain ecosystems. Delivering the opening remarks, Dr. S. P. Yadav, Director General of IBCA, reaffirmed the Alliance’s commitment—under the guidance of the Government of India and in cooperation with member countries—to strengthening global collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building for all big cat species. He also reiterated IBCA’s continued support for the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), recognizing its pioneering leadership across range nations. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ramesh Pandey, Additional Director General (Wildlife), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, highlighted India’s progress under Project Snow Leopard, noting that the species occupies nearly 250,000 sq. km of high-altitude habitat across four Himalayan states. Based on the 2019–2023 national estimation exercise, India now supports a population of over 700 snow leopards, making it the third-largest range country globally. Dr. Ruchi Pant, Head of Climate Adaptation, Natural Resource Management, and Biodiversity at UNDP India, presented achievements from the Secure Himalaya Project, including comprehensive landscape management plans, standard operating procedures for wetland management, advancements in snow leopard assessments, and the establishment of 105 biodiversity management committees across high-altitude landscapes. From Tajikistan, Ms. Nozanin Rasulova, Head of the Department of Cooperation, Committee for Environmental Protection, shared progress in population studies and outlined future priorities such as strengthening cross-border collaboration, unified monitoring methodologies, enhanced smart patrolling, preparation of a regional conservation publication, harmonizing management frameworks, and improving education and capacity building in transboundary corridors. Former Wildlife Institute of India scientist Dr. Sathyakumar provided an overview of India’s transition from approximate estimates to systematic, data-driven assessments through the Snow Leopard Population Assessment of India (SPAI), a process involving local communities, researchers, and frontline staff across six states. Dr. Koustubh Sharma, Director for Science and Conservation at the Snow Leopard Trust in Kyrgyzstan, highlighted key threats to snow leopards—ranging from habitat loss and climate change to human disturbance—and called for collective global action, encouraging participation in initiatives such as “23 for 23,” which invites individuals to dedicate 23 minutes to raising awareness and support for snow leopard conservation.

IBCA hosted a special webinar on the occasion of International Jaguar Day, bringing together a distinguished panel of global conservation leaders to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and collaborative actions required to safeguard jaguars and their ecosystems. The event featured insightful presentations from experts working across the Americas, each offering valuable perspectives on science-based conservation and community engagement. Dr. John Polisar, Environmental Coordinator at the Sierra Nevada USDA National Forest, USA, highlighted the effectiveness of improved livestock management, electric fencing, and habitat protection in reducing jaguar-related livestock losses by up to 80–100 percent. Drawing from field data in Guatemala and Bolivia, he emphasized that prey abundance, habitat quality, and strong enforcement are essential to sustaining stable jaguar populations and cautioned about rising threats from the illegal trade in jaguar parts. Dr. Allison Devlin, Director of the Jaguar Program at Panthera, USA, noted that jaguars currently occupy only a small portion of their historical range, stressing the urgent need for connected habitats and functional corridors. She elaborated on the Jaguar Corridor Initiative, advances in camera-trap monitoring, and the Jaguar 2030 Roadmap, which aims to secure priority landscapes, reduce conflict, and promote sustainable development across 18 countries. From WWF Mexico, Sandra Petrone presented WWF’s 2020–2030 Jaguar Strategy, focusing on stabilizing and increasing jaguar populations through habitat protection, corridor strengthening, combatting illegal wildlife trade, and fostering regional cooperation. She underscored the significance of the Maya Forest as a critical stronghold in the Mesoamerican Corridor and highlighted the role of sustainable livelihood models—including improved cattle ranching, honey production, and cacao farming—in reducing deforestation while supporting local communities. She also emphasized the power of citizen science, where local residents play an active role in monitoring jaguars and their prey. Representing IBCA, Soumitra Das (Director, Program) reflected on global progress in jaguar conservation and reiterated the ecological importance of jaguars as apex predators. He emphasized the value of collaborative approaches that engage governments, Indigenous peoples, local communities, NGOs, and conservation partners to protect habitats, secure corridors, mitigate conflict, and strengthen enforcement. Concluding the session, Amit Mallick of IBCA noted that International Jaguar Day not only celebrates efforts toward jaguar conservation but also underscores their vital role in maintaining resilient ecosystems. He highlighted IBCA’s commitment to supporting range countries by fostering coordinated action, facilitating knowledge exchange, building capacity, and encouraging unified monitoring and enforcement frameworks. Collectively, the webinar reinforced the importance of partnership-driven conservation and showcased how IBCA can play a catalytic role in strengthening coordinated efforts for jaguar protection across their range.

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organized a webinar to celebrate International Leopard Day on May 3, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM IST. The theme of the webinar was “Management Issues in Addressing the Challenges of Leopard Conservation.” IBCA invited eight esteemed speakers to share their work and experiences on leopard conservation. The event was initiated by the Interim Director General of IBCA, Dr. S.P. Yadav, who delivered the welcome address. Mr. Sushil Kumar Awasthi dived into the best practices for Leopard conservation in India, while Dr. Mohammad Farhadinia shed light on the current status of leopards in West and Central Asia. Ms. Maria Okulova shared her insights on the ongoing efforts to preserve the endangered Amur leopard population. Dr. Pradeep Malik offered a unique perspective on the crucial role of Animal Health Professionals in leopard conservation and management. We also learned from Dr. Saket Badola about effectively managing human-leopard conflicts in Uttarakhand. Furthermore, we gained valuable knowledge from Mr. Nityanand Srivastava's presentation on leopard conservation in Gujarat and Mr. Sunil Limaye's fascinating insights into the human-leopard interface in Borivali National Park, Mumbai. Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Program Director at IBCA, delivered the closing remarks and Dr. Kausik Banerjee, Program Lead at IBCA, served as the webinar moderator.

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organized a webinar to celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, 2024, from 4 PM to 5 PM IST. The theme of the webinar was “Big Cats & Biodiversity: Shared Future.” IBCA invited five esteemed speakers to share their work and experiences on biodiversity conservation. The event was initiated by the Interim Director General of IBCA, Dr. S.P. Yadav, who delivered the welcome address. Our first speaker, Mr. Subhash Malkhere, shared a fascinating glimpse into the world of Tiger and Leopard conservation in Karnataka, highlighting the unique challenges involved. Dr. Kaustabh Sharma provided valuable insights into Snow leopard conservation and its relation to climate adaptation, while Dr. Ruchi Pant explored the intersection of Snow Leopard and Community Conservation in the Indian Himalayan Range. Prof Matt Heyward delved into the intriguing topic of Intergenerational Inequity with Nature; Dr. Valeria Boron talked about her experience with Jaguar Conservation in Latin America. Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Program Director at IBCA, delivered the closing remarks and Dr. Kausik Banerjee, Program Lead at IBCA, served as the webinar moderator.

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organized a webinar to celebrate Cougar Day on June 12, 2024, from 7 PM to 8 PM IST. The theme of the webinar was “Cougar Conservation: Challenges and Opportunities” IBCA invited three esteemed speakers to share their work and experiences on cougar conservation. The event was initiated by the Interim Director General of IBCA, Dr. S.P. Yadav, who delivered the welcome address. During the event, Mr. Brent Lyies shared exciting updates about the initiatives of the Mountain Lion Foundation. Dr. Alys Granodos captivated the audience with her insights on optimizing puma conservation in California and Patagonia under the Bay Area Puma Project. Additionally, Dr. Seth Riley delved into the conservation challenges and opportunities for mountain lions in urban California, sparking a thought-provoking discussion. Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Program Director at IBCA, delivered the closing remarks and Dr. Kausik Banerjee, Program Lead at IBCA, served as the webinar moderator.

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) organized a webinar to celebrate Lion Day on August 10, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 01:00 PM IST. This webinar featured leading experts discussing lion conservation efforts, the current status of lion populations & strategies to protect them. The event was initiated by the Interim Director General of IBCA, Dr. S.P. Yadav, who delivered the welcome address. The webinar was chaired by Mr. Praveen Garg, President, Mobius Foundation who delivered his thoughts on the significance of lion conservation. Professor Matt Hayward shared insights from his extensive experience in the field of prey-predator dynamics. Dr. Dennis Ikanda provided an overview of his ongoing research on lion conservation and management in Kenya. Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta, Program Director at IBCA, delivered the closing remarks and Dr. Kausik Banerjee, Program Lead at IBCA, served as the webinar moderator.

Dr. SP Yadav, IFS Director General of IBCA, highlighted the importance of big cat conservation during a webinar on World Environment Day, June 5, 2025. He called for innovative strategies and international partnerships to protect these species and their habitats. H.E. Dr. Chea Sam Ang from Cambodia shared the nation’s expanding conservation efforts, noting the increase in protected areas and rangers, and emphasized the ambitious tiger reintroduction program aimed at ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.

Supported by unredd+, Cambodia's program also focuses on recovering other big cats despite challenges such as illegal wildlife trade. Dr. Yash Veer Bhatnagar from IUCN shared experiences of human-wildlife coexistence in India, where community engagement helps sustain large carnivores like snow leopards outside protected areas.

Mr. Abidrashid Artan Abdirahman from Somalia discussed the country's ban on single-use plastics in 2024 to reduce wildlife threats, while Mr. Thulani Methula from Eswatini celebrated the reintroduction of cheetahs to Hlane Royal National Park after years of absence. Mr. Maxwell Nyounway from Liberia emphasized the country's commitment to protecting its big cats and their rich forest ecosystems.

In closing, Mr. Soumitra Dasgupta from IBCA thanked participants for their contributions and underscored the interconnection between human survival and ecosystem health. He assured continued engagement with member countries in future initiatives.