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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 12h

A historic moment for tiger conservation just took place in Kazakhstan this year! Read more: news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/08/kazakhstan-releases-first-tiger-into-the-wild-in-70-years Check out our work on wild cats here! felidaefund.org #conservation #puma #tiger #wildlife #rehabilitation

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 29/09/2026

One of our all-star volunteers, Jeff Ehrlich, was just featured by alma mater! Check out what he's been up to with us in this article. We're grateful for his support with our research! Thanks Jeff! alumni.cornell.edu/snack-bar/th... #conservation #puma #wildlife #appreciation

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 29/09/2026

A mountain lion was spotted in San Francisco 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, as urban development continues to expand, there is less undisturbed habitat for wildlife to use. Report a puma here! bapp.org/meet-puma/si... www.kqed.org/news/1205204... #puma #mountainlion #sanfrancisco #bayarea #wildcat

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 28/09/2026

In 2002, < than 100 Iberian #lynx remained. Today there are 2,663, thanks to #conservation efforts (captive breeding, more native prey, improved connectivity, partnerships with landowners). Still, 4,500-6,000 lynx are needed for a secure future.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 26/09/2026

Every week, 1–2 pumas die on CA roads. In some regions, cars may be killing them faster than the population can replace them. Wildlife crossings, slower driving at dawn & dusk, & your sightings can prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. 💛 Support our work. Make pumas safe in CA felidaefund.org/donate

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 24/09/2026

Puma encounters are VERY rare, yet the Bay Area is still puma country so it's important that we know how to respond if you see one. Remember, they want to avoid us and they do a pretty good job of it. felidaefund.org/learn/safety... #wildlife #puma #mountainlion #hiking #conservation

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 23/09/2026

Rabies has a nearly 100% fatality rate & can affect wild cats. Vaccinating pets can protect wild cat population health & prevent human rabies transmission from dogs and cats. www.msn.com/en-us/money/... #Rabies #Vaccine #Pets #WildCat #onehealth

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 22/09/2026

Orange County is losing ~ 1 puma per month, thanks to ongoing development. We're tracking this by analyzing camera footage & scat samples to understand how urban expansion affects puma health & behavior. Read more rb.gy/7qwmab See our research: felidaefund.org #MountainLion #OrangeCounty #california

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 21/09/2026

House cat? no, this is an African wildcat! They live in Africa & in southwest and Central Asia. They're the wild ancestor of today’s domestic cats, weighing up to ~18 lbs. Unfortunately, hybridization with domestic cats is their biggest threat. #wildcat #smallcat #wildlife #conservation

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 21/09/2026

Most environmental legislation protects species. Without formal scientific recognition, a unique animal can't be added to the Red List & receive government protection. The discovery of Leopardus tilcayo provides a legal handle to fight for its survival. Read more! shorturl.fm/2CXfb 📸 : Joel Sartore

felidaeconservationfund.substack.com

The First New Wild Cat in 100 Years

What it takes to confirm a new species, and why it matters for conservation.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 18/09/2026

A new wild cat species has been discovered, the 1st in 100+ yrs! Initially discovered when a Bolivian researcher brought it to a wildlife sanctuary, genetic testing has since confirmed it as a new species. www.scientificamerican.com/article/see-... #wildcat #bolivia #southamerica #wildlife

scientificamerican.com

See the first new species of cat discovered in more than a century—it’s adorable

The cat is smaller than a house cat but has the spots of a leopard

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 17/09/2026

How does life at the urban edge affect puma health? We used camera traps to study variation in puma body condition across the Bay Area. Higher body condition scores in areas with moderate human development may reflect differences in puma prey base. Read the full paper: shorturl.at/jPqkx

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 16/09/2026

Researchers used #cameratraps to study #wildlife behavior before & during the Chernobyl Russian occupation. Behaviors changed post-occupation for most species but not for #lynx. Camera traps allow us to study wildlife in dangerous & inaccessible areas. #wildcat www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/s...

nytimes.com

Russia Captured Chernobyl. The Wildlife Cameras Kept Recording.

A rare camera-trap study logged the effects of armed conflict on wild animals in real time.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 15/09/2026

Have you heard of the marbled cat? This small cat species is a focal species in our Bhutan Wild Cat Health Project. They're excellent climbers and are solitary. Our Bhutan project explores how free-roaming domestic dogs affect their population health. Learn more! felidaefund.org/projects/res...

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 14/09/2026

Cheetahs have survived several population bottlenecks throughout history, leaving them with unusually low genetic diversity, complicating conservation efforts for wild cheetahs. Learn more about cheetah genetics: shorturl.at/Y0gpb 📷: Tsavo Cheetah Project #cheetah #genetic #wildcat

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 11/09/2026

Why do mountain lion sightings need to be validated? & why does this matter? Unfortunately, most 'sightings' are not valid, which can cause panic and fear, leading to misconceptions about lion numbers. Learn more in our new Substack article felidaeconservationfund.substack.com/p/chasing-gh...

felidaeconservationfund.substack.com

Chasing Ghost Cats

Why We Validate Every Mountain Lion Sighting

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 10/09/2026

A bobcat hit by a car last month on a TX highway highlights that habitat fragmentation pushes wildlife closer to human areas. In CA, I-280 is especially deadly for wildlife. Foster coexistence by obeying speed limits, esp in evening - early AM when animals are most active. shorturl.at/o86KS

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 09/09/2026

Do you know what to do if you see a mountain lion? Encounters are rare but the Bay Area is still mountain lion country so it's important to know what to do if you come across one while in nature. Do NOT approach, do NOT run. Make yourself big and make noise. www.kqed.org/news/1205204...

kqed.org

What to Do if You See a Mountain Lion in the Bay Area | KQED

Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare, but they do happen. Here’s how to steer clear of mountain lions altogether and how to respond in the moment if you do see one.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 08/09/2026

Have you heard of the Chinese mountain cat (Felis bieti)? This elusive small cat lives in the high-altitude regions of the eastern Tibetan Plateau & is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. felidaefund.org/learn/cats/c... #conservation #china #wildcat #smallcat #asia

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 07/09/2026

Today is #California #Biodiversity Day! California has more rare & threatened species of any state. There are 1000+ vertebrate species here, including 200+ mammals! Our California camera trap network allows us to study some of this amazing biodiversity. Learn more bapp.org #wildlife #cameratrap

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 06/09/2026

Was a puma in SF last night? >90% of 'puma' sightings are not actually pumas. Whether this was actually a puma isn't known. Pumas are elusive and prefer to avoid people. The animal disappeared last night and is confirmed to no longer be in the area. sfstandard.com/2026/09/06/s... #sanfrancisco

sfstandard.com

Mountain lion that spent a night in the Panhandle left on its own: ‘A best case scenario’

The animal climbed a tree near Fell and Baker streets and slipped away overnight — a calmer end than January’s Pac Heights cougar, which was caught and tranquilized.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 04/09/2026

Mountain lions prefer to avoid people so encounters are quite rare. If you do see a lion while hiking- stay calm and do not approach. Give them a wide berth so they can go on their way. If they approach you, make noise and make yourself look big. Leash your pets. www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

sfchronicle.com

Bay Area hiker rescued after reporting mountain lion stalking him near San Jose

A hiker was rescued by a Santa Clara County sheriff’s helicopter after he reported that a mountain lion was stalking him on the Boccardo Loop Trail near San Jose.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 04/09/2026

Pumas don't live in packs - This is a family group! They're mostly solitary as adults, but cubs stay with mom for up to 2 years. Ongoing human development can threaten cub survival if they lose mom before they are fully ready to live on their own. #cameratrap #animalbehavior #california

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 03/09/2026

A toxic algal bloom affecting sea lions in the Bay Area highlights the importance of studying #wildlife population health. This toxic algal bloom is expected to be worse with this year's El Niño. #california #bayarea #onehealth #marinemammal www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...

sfgate.com

Sick, disoriented sea lions are washing up on California beaches

The sea lions are exhibiting abnormal behavior such as disorientation and seizures.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 02/09/2026

En #Patagonia, hay 2 especies de gatos pequeños que estudiamos como parte del Patagonia Wild Cats Project: el gato montés y el gato de los pajonales. ¡Conozcan más sobre los dos! #argentina #smallcat #gato #research #wildlife #ecologia Credit @mammiferossobonaerense, GECM, UNS-CONICET

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 01/09/2026

Last month, a #puma was seen in #LACounty, walking down the road during the day. With habitat loss, pumas must move through human areas. They'd rather avoid us, but if you see one do NOT approach, do NOT run. Make yourself big & make noise. Don’t leave pets unattended outside. tinyurl.com/3crt55k4

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 31/08/2026

Yesterday (Aug 30) was International Puma Day! Pumas are keystone species, regulating prey populations & preventing the spread of disease, helping to keep nature thriving right in our own backyard. Learn more about the Bay Area Puma Project at bapp.org! #mountainlion #puma #Wildlife #wildcat

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 28/08/2026

Letting our pets outside may be exposing them to more risks than we realize. Particularly from dusk to dawn, our furry friends are better off inside. Outdoor and feral cats can spread parasites to humans and wildlife alike, impacting public health and wild cat populations.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 27/08/2026

As urban areas expand into wildlife habitat, people and pumas are increasingly sharing the landscape. While the chances of encountering a puma are extremely low and most encounters are brief, it’s important to understand how to live and recreate responsibly in puma territory.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 26/08/2026

Happy International Dog Day! Dogs are our best friends, but they are also used in conservation. Dogs can be trained to locate wildlife products in airports, and they can also locate wildlife or wildlife products in the field!

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 26/08/2026

Two recently published studies by Felidae Conservation Fund researchers explored how pumas and other wildlife respond to human disturbances—including artificial light and domestic dogs. By examining spatiotemporal and behavioral responses, researchers can better understand-

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 25/08/2026

How do we study pumas without disturbing them? From camera traps and genetic sampling to community science and spatial modelling, non-invasive methods help researchers understand puma populations, health, behavior, and threats across their landscapes.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 24/08/2026

We are excited to kick off Puma Week from August 24 to 30! All week long, we will share research insights and ways to protect these cats. Today we are highlighting Felidae’s flagship project, the Bay Area Puma Project (BAPP)!

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 21/08/2026

Did you know that mountain lions may be one secret to safer roads? Mountain lions hunt at the forest edge, which affects the behavior of prey species, like mule deer.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 20/08/2026

Brazil is home to 10 wild cat species (e.g., puma, margay, pampa cat), but habitat fragmentation is prevalent and increasingly contributes to another emerging threat: the spread of disease. Photo Credit: Patagonia Wild Cat Project

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 19/08/2026

Across its range, the mainland leopard cat is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but many local populations face serious threats. In Taiwan, less than 500 individuals remain, while for Japan's Tsushima and Iriomote island populations, there are only ~ 100 cats.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 12/08/2026

If a picture seems too good to be true, it may be an AI generated image! Lately there has been an increase in false wildlife sightings, most of which are AI generated. When fake images and sightings of wildlife are shared, this fuels misinformation and spreads fear.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 11/08/2026

What do free-roaming/feral cats have to do with zoonotic diseases? Research from NYC highlights that viruses (e.g. Toxoplasmosis) shed by domestic cats stay in the environment for long time periods and > 50% of free-roaming cats in the study had at least 1 parasite.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 10/08/2026

Today is World Lion Day! Did you know early Spanish explorers coined the term mountain lion? Known as gato monte, or "cat of the mountain", mountain lions are not closely related to African or Asiatic lions, but received their name for their tawny fur color and preference for ridgetops.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 07/08/2026

Pumas and bobcats are shifting their schedules in response to human activity. Though naturally most active at dawn and dusk, Felidae research found that these cats become increasingly nocturnal near urban areas, driven more by artificial light than by noise.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 06/08/2026

The marbled cat is one of Southeast Asia's most elusive wild cats. Because sightings are so rare, researchers still know surprisingly little about this mysterious forest species.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 04/08/2026

Happy International Big Cat Day! Today we want to spotlight the three big cat species that Felidae currently studies! All occurring in Bhutan, the snow leopard, tiger, and leopard are under various human-based threats.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 04/08/2026

Bobcat fever (cytauxzoonosis) is spreading in the U.S. as Lone Star tick populations expand. The parasite is transmitted from infected bobcats to ticks, which can then infect domestic cats. Learn more here: tinyurl.com/cytauxzoonosis and tinyurl.com/3kcnw7tr

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 03/08/2026

Clouded leopards, a South Asian wild cat known for their distinctive cloud-like markings, have been spotted in West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve for the first time in nearly two years! Learn more about clouded leopards in India: tinyurl.com/mshm6ypy

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 31/07/2026

In California, recent studies show that the loss of forest coverage is more detrimental to wildlife than previously indicated, and with this, a variety of species including pumas are likely to be affected. Read more about the study here: tinylink.net/Xprje

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 30/07/2026

WARNING - Graphic Imagery Wildlife-vehicle collisions with small carnivores are not uncommon, but often go undocumented. Small cats like the rusty-spotted cat are especially at risk, often hunting at night and hard to see while driving. Learn more: tinylink.net/6UFGo

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 29/07/2026

International Tiger Day marks a critical moment to protect the roughly 3,900 to 4,500 tigers left in the wild. Having lost 95% of their historic range, these endangered apex predators keep forest ecosystems and watersheds healthy by regulating herbivore populations.

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 27/07/2026

In India, community scientists are using traditional ecological knowledge to help monitor snow leopards! The result? Native wild prey has increased, retaliatory killings have declined, and local tolerance for snow leopards has increased. Read more: tinylink.net/mvyXl

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 26/07/2026

Today is International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems! One wild cat who calls the mangroves of SE Asia home is the fishing cat, a mostly nocturnal cat with special adaptations that help them hunt underwater prey. Learn more at: tinylink.net/YlxRg

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Felidae Conservation Fund @felidaefund.org · 24/07/2026

Sporotrichosis is a fungal disease present in humans and domestic cats. Presenting on the skin but also capable of internal infection, it can easily spread between humans and domestic cats. Recent research in Brazil found that this disease has also infected wildlife, including a southern tiger cat.

tinyurl.com

Wild Cat Health Project - Scat Research Update | Felidae Conservation Fund

Felidae Conservation Fund combines top research, community engagement, and education to help humans live in harmony with wild cats and restore ecosystems.

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