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WASHINGTON, April 22, 2009 – World Wildlife Fund officials praised passage in the House of Representatives of legislation that would offer greater protections for endangered and iconic cat and dog species, including leopards, cheetahs and African wild dogs. 

The legislation, H.R. 411, the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act, would provide financial resources to restore populations of rare wild cat and canine species and protect their habitats. The bill, which is identical to an earlier version that passed the House last year, was approved last night by a vote of 290 to 118. 

“Wild and rare cat and dog species are some of the most iconic animals on the planet,” said Dr. Sybille Klenzendorf, managing director of species conservation at WWF.  “The bipartisan bill that passed the House will help ensure these majestic creatures continue to roam the wild for generations to come.”

H.R. 411 is supported by a broad coalition of more than 80 conservation, sportsmen and hunting groups, as well as zoos and other non-governmental organizations.  WWF Chief Scientist Dr. Eric Dinerstein testified in support of the legislation before the House Natural Resources Committee during the last Congress. 

“The Great Cats and Rare Canids Act has enjoyed broad bipartisan support in Congress,” said Bill Eichbaum, WWF vice president for U.S. Government Relations.  “As it did last year, this bill passed the House today with overwhelming support.  We now look forward to the Senate taking up the legislation and sending it to the President to be signed into law.”

H.R. 411 was introduced by Representative Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and is cosponsored by the co-chairs of the House International Conservation Caucus.  A companion measure, S. 529, has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).

Note to editors:
Dr. Eric Dinerstein’s testimony from the September 6, 2007 House Natural Resources Committee hearing is available on the WWF website: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/howwedoit/policy/WWFBinaryitem7109.pdf.