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{{Short description|American non-profit organization}}
{{No footnotes|date=August 2011}}

'''Felidae Conservation Fund''' ('''FCF''') is a [[California]]-based [[non-profit organization]] dedicated to preserving [[wild cats]] and their habitats. The organization supports and promotes international wild cat research and conservation by collaborating on field research projects, partnering with other environmental organizations, and developing community outreach and education programs.

==History==
FCF was founded in 2006 by [[conservation movement|conservationist]] and entrepreneur [[Zara McDonald]]. As a competitive [[marathon]] runner, McDonald twice encountered [[mountain lions]] during solitary runs in the [[Marin Headlands]] in Northern California. These encounters led her to become involved in California mountain lion research in 2002, and she soon expanded her research work to include other wild cat species. In the fall of 2004, after returning from extended capture work with mountain lions, she began developing a conservation model that combined scientific research with education and outreach programs. This led her to found the Felidae Conservation Fund ([[501(c)(3)]]) in April 2006.

Today Felidae supports and collaborates in scientific research projects in nine countries, promotes community-level education and outreach programs, and fosters international cooperation among scientists, conservationists, governments, and environmental [[NGO]]s. Felidae is based in [[Sausalito, California]], and raises money through donations, grants, fundraising events and online [[social networking service|social networks]].

==Mission and philosophy==
FCF's mission is to advance the conservation of the planet's wild cat species and their habitats through partnerships in research, education and technology. Its model is to collaborate on research studies that examine human impact on wild cats and their habitats, then disseminate the results in outreach and education programs designed to convince people of the importance of preserving the natural environment. Felidae collaborates with scientists, educators, communities and lawmakers with the goal of protecting [[ecosystem]]s, staving off further [[extinction]]s, and promoting healthy ways for humans to coexist with wild cats and their habitats.

Felidae's focus on wild cat conservation is motivated by the belief that the study of wild cats can serve as a leverage point for addressing the broader environmental issues of [[habitat loss]], [[Environmental sociology|human-nature interactions]], and [[wildlife conservation|wildlife sustainability]]. This belief is based on the idea that because cats are often the top [[predator]]s in the ecosystems they inhabit, understanding and solving the problems they face can inform and guide the conservation and preservation of wild animals and wild habitats of all kinds.

==Programs==
Felidae currently collaborates on research projects in field locations around the globe, including the [[United States]], [[Malaysia]], [[Mongolia]], [[Chile]], [[Peru]], [[Iran]], [[Namibia]] and [[Pakistan]]. Felidae provides strategic guidance, funding, field support, supplies and equipment to its project partners to help them achieve their research goals.

To link this scientific research to conservation efforts, Felidae incorporates the results of field studies into its outreach and education programs. These include talks and presentations throughout the US, collaborations with artists and video producers to convey the conservation message through visual media, and online projects aimed at educating young people through an [[web portal|interactive portal]], an [[browser game|online]] and [[mobile phone]] game, and social network activities.

==Partnerships and collaboration==
In its field work and conservation efforts FCF collaborates with the following organizations: [[National Park Service]], [[California State Parks]], [[California Department of Fish and Game]], [[UC Santa Cruz]], [[UC Davis]], [[Wildlife Conservation Society]], [[Wildlife Conservation Research Unit]], [[Snow Leopard Trust]], [[Snow Leopard Conservancy]], [[International Wildlife Film Festival]], [[Craighead Beringa South]], [[Cheetah Conservation Fund]] and the [[International League of Conservation Photographers]], among many other organizations.

==Science and research==
Felidae's scientific research projects are based in field locations around the globe.

The '''[[Bay Area Puma Project]]''' in Northern California is the first comprehensive study of mountain lions in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]]. A primary goal of this study is to determine priority locations for [[wildlife crossing|wildlife overpasses and underpasses]] to maintain connectivity for the region's wildlife populations. In addition, the study uses [[GPS]] collars equipped with [[accelerometer]]s to record detailed information on mountain lion movements that will reveal new insights into their behavior and [[physiology]]. Felidae is working with Dr. Chris Wilmers of UC Santa Cruz, along with the [[California Department of Fish and Game]] and California State Parks.

The '''[[Patagonia]] Puma Project''' in Chile is a long-term ecological study by Dr. Heiko Wittmer of UC Davis which examines the dynamics relating to the puma’s role in the decline of the [[hippocamelus|huemul]] deer. The researchers hope to exonerate the puma from major blame in the huemul's decline.

The '''Bornean Wild Cat and Clouded Leopard Project''' in Malaysia investigates the conservation needs of five species of Bornean wild cats ([[Bornean clouded leopard]], [[bay cat]], [[flat-headed cat]], [[marbled cat]], and [[leopard cat]]). The study will use GPS collars and radio tracking to document spatial patterns, [[ranging]] behavior, activity patterns, and habitat use. Felidae is working in partnership with the Global Canopy Programme ([[UK]]), the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation at the University of Malaysia, and [[University of Oxford|Oxford]] [[graduate school|graduate students]] Andrew Hearn and Joanna Ross.

The '''Study on Endangered [[snow leopard|Snow Leopards]]''' in Mongolia is a long-term research project that will answer basic ecological and behavioral questions about the mysterious and elusive snow leopard. The study will be conducted using GPS collars, non-invasive [[genetics]], and [[camera trap]]ping with advanced [[mark-recapture]] modeling. It will attempt to answer basic questions about snow leopards ([[birth rate|birth]] and [[mortality rate]]s, cub survival, [[biological dispersal|dispersal rates]], habitat use, and [[home range]] size) that are currently unknown due to their cryptic nature and inaccessible habitat. Felidae's partners in the project are the [[Snow Leopard Trust]] and the [[Wildlife Conservation Society]].

The '''[[Teton Range|Teton]] [[Cougar]] Project''' in [[Wyoming]] studies the [[population dynamics]] of mountain lions in the [[Greater Yellowstone ecosystem]] by examining predation, behavior associated with human development, and interactions with [[wolf|wolves]], [[grizzly bear]]s and [[American black bear|black bears]]. The project is operated by Craighead Beringia South with support from Felidae.

The '''Southern California Puma Project''' examines the progress and implications of [[habitat fragmentation]] as puma populations in Southern California become more isolated. Felidae is collaborating with UC Davis Wildlife Health Center on this study, which has radio-collared more than 50 pumas over 7 years.

The '''[[Asiatic cheetah|Asiatic Cheetah]] Project''' in Iran is the first detailed ecological study of the [[critically endangered]] Asiatic cheetah. Researchers in Northern Iran work to gain insight into the cheetahs’ movements within and between reserves, information that can help scientists to protect the cats' habitat and stave off extinction.

The '''Snow Leopard Conservation Project''' in Pakistan is a high-profile study in the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|North Western Frontier Province]] of Pakistan in which the first ever GPS collar was placed on a snow leopard, as seen in the [[BBC]] documentary [[Natural World (TV series)|"Snow Leopard: Beyond the Myth"]]. The study is a partnership between Snow Leopard Trust, [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]]-Pakistan, NWFP Wildlife Department, and Felidae Conservation Fund.

The '''[[Southern African cheetah|African Cheetah]] Project''' in Namibia is an ongoing study of the African cheetah that includes camera-trapping, [[spoor (animal)|spoor]] tracking, and [[DNA]] research. The study is led by the [[Cheetah Conservation Fund]] and Dr. Laurie Marker with support from Felidae.

==See also==
*[[Feline Conservation Federation]]
*[[Cheetah Conservation Foundation]]
*[[Backyard Wildlife Habitat]]
*[[European Green Belt]]

==References==
*[http://www.felidaefund.org/ Felidae Conservation Fund Website]
*[http://bapp.org/ Bay Area Puma Project Web Portal]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100317214412/http://www.ktvu.com/video/22817072/index.html KTVU Nightly News: Santa Cruz Mountains - Scientist Using High-Tech Collars To Track Mountain Lion Movement - March 11, 2010]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100309084837/http://www.wildernesscenter.org/podcasts/ The Wilderness Center: Wild Ideas Podcast #49 - March 4, 2010]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110606223623/http://www.ktvu.com/news/21258051/detail.html?taf=fran KTVU: Santa Cruz Researchers Focus on Mountain Lion Whereabouts - October 9, 2009]
*[http://cbs5.com/video/?id=56386@kpix.dayport.com CBS 5: Project Keeps Track of Bay Area Mountain Lions - October 7, 2009]
*[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100511979 NPR: Scientists Tracking Mountain Lions Near Urban Areas - February 10, 2009]
*[http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R901120833 Tracking Urban Lions - KQED 88.5 FM Interview with David Gorn on January 12, 2009]
*[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/01/11/MNI5151TQ0.DTL Tracking Mountain Lions-For Their Own Good - January 11, 2009]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090510031043/http://www.westernandwildlifeartmagazine.com/articles_aug08.htm Felidae Conservation Fund - Western and Wildlife Art Magazine - September 2008]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081120175607/http://www.felidaefund.org/research/mongolia_sept_14_2008.html Press Release- Second Snow Leopard collared in long-term ecological study in Mongolia - September 14, 2008]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081120180748/http://www.felidaefund.org/research/mongolia_press_release-aug_2008.html Press Release- First Snow Leopard captured in long-term ecological study in Mongolia - August 20, 2008]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090626221051/http://www.ucsc.edu/news_events/press_releases/text.asp?pid=2173 Press Release for Santa Cruz Mountains Puma Project - May 6, 2008]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080907180148/http://felidaefund.org/news.html News on '''Felidae''']
*[http://www.animalcampaigns.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=300:fcf-bay-area-puma-project-bapp-&catid=63:wildlife-conservation&directory=2 AnimalCampaigns.com - The Bay Area Puma Project 2009]

[[Category:Conservation biology]]
[[Category:Conservation projects]]
[[Category:Biodiversity]]

Felidae Conservation Fund - Revision history

imported>SimLibrarian at 19:09, 16 January 2023