Big Cat Initiative

The National Geographic Big Cats Initiative (BCI) seeks to advance conservation efforts benefitting big cat populations, protecting and restoring them and their habitats via field-based, action-oriented, direct, and quantifiable strategic programs.

Big cats worldwide are under threat—for many populations, local extinctions are imminent due to habitat loss, degradation, and conflicts with humans. Lions have disappeared from 95% of their historic range in Africa and their populations have declined 43% in the 21 years between 1993-2014. African cheetah populations have disappeared from more than 90% of their historic range with an 87% decline in “resident range” populations.

Learn more about the Big Cat Initiative at National Geographic. Check out educational resources, classroom activities, and videos on our Activity Page.