Lion in cage

#BreakTheViciousCycle


Ban the commercial trade of ALL big cats in South Africa

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Lioness Nora

Rescues


FOUR PAWS helps big cats and many other animals under direct human influence

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Tiger Laziz at LIONSROCK

Sanctuaries


We provide species-appropriate homes for rescued animals all over the world

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Big Cats

Big cats have captivated people throughout history and are often seen as symbols of the ecosystems they inhabit. The term 'big cats' typically refers to any animal within the 'Panthera' genus, such as tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards.

 Unfortunately, the welfare and well-being of many big cats continues to be put at risk by commercial trade and exploitation, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal trade. It's therefore crucial to focus on long-term efforts to protect the future of these animals including, education and awareness campaigns, changes in laws and law enforcement, research and monitoring, and habitat preservation.

worth knowing about lions and tigers 

Rafah Zoo in Gaza

FAQs on Big Cat Rescue Missions

Learn more about how we help suffering big cats across the world 

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Lion at LIONSROCK

10 Facts About Big Cats

How much do you know about these powerful feline predators? 

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Big Cats: Way of Life & Behaviour

Big Cats: Way of Life & Behaviour

What characterizes these large carnivores and how do they spend their lives in the wild?

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Tiger playing with enrichment

Enrichment for Big Cats

Enrichment is an important part of animal management in human care

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LIONSROCK general tourism image

FAQs on LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

All your questions and our answers about LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

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the suffering of big cats and what we are doing to end it

FOUR PAWS is lobbying to alter legislation and achieve lasting change for the better. We also rescue lions and tigers kept in bad conditions in captivity.

Tigers Shevar and Sharukh at the LIONSROCK

Survey shows South Africans want better protection for big cats

94% of South Africans say big cats should be better protected by the country’s laws and regulations. 

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Tourist taking a picture with a lion cub

Big Cats on Breeding Farms

The truth behind the tourist attraction of cuddling and walking with a lion cub

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Petting of white tiger cub

Barely Wild

Inside the big cat farming industry for tourism

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Tiger Trade

Roadmap to closing captive tiger facilities of concern

An outline on how to address the complexities associated with closing these facilities

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Lion Ivan at LIONSROCK

DFFE releases Ministerial Task Team report on recommendations for captive lion breeding industry exit strategy

FOUR PAWS commends the Ministerial Task Team's recommendations for captive lion breeding industry exit strategy

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Lion at LIONSROCK

#BreakTheViciousCycle Milestones

Celebrating achievements and accomplishments in the fight against the big cat trade in South Africa

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About FOUR PAWS big cat sanctuaries. 

Lioness Neida at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

A FOUR PAWS sanctuary in South Africa since 2006

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Tigress Dehli at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

Our FOUR PAWS wild animal project in the Netherlands since 2014

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Tigress Varvara at TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

A cooperation between FOUR PAWS and TIERART e.V. in Germany since 2013

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Lioness at Al Ma'Wa for Nature & Wildlife

Al Ma'wa for Nature & Wildlife

A cooperation project between the Princess Alia Foundation and FOUR PAWS in Jordan since 2011

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