[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE INTRODUCTION OF THE GREAT CATS CONSERVATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HENRY E. BROWN, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2007

  Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, today, I am pleased to 
introduce, along with the distinguished gentleman from Alaska, the 
former Chairman of the Resources Committee, the Honorable Don Young, 
the Great Cats Conservation Act of 2007.
  This legislation is modeled after the very successful conservation 
statutes that Congress has enacted to assist highly endangered 
elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, great apes and marine turtles. It is 
based on the sound principle that a small amount of U.S. taxpayer 
assistance to range states can make a huge difference in preventing the 
extinction of certain landmark species.
  Under my bill, a Great Cats Conservation Fund would be established 
and up to $5 million per year would be authorized to be appropriated 
for conservation projects to assist species of cheetahs, jaguars, 
lions, leopards and Spanish lynx. These species were selected because 
they are listed as endangered under our federal Endangered Species Act, 
on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered 
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and on the IUCN red list.
  There is no question that populations of these wild species of big 
cats are in serious decline and that their long-term survival is in 
real jeopardy. For instance, an excellent example of the type of 
decline these species have suffered can be illustrated in the plight of 
the majestic cheetah. At the turn of the 20th century, it was estimated 
that there were more than 100,000 cheetahs living in 44 African and 
Asian countries. Today, there are no more than 15,000 cheetahs living 
in small-pocketed populations in some 20 nations in Africa.
  While the reasons for this precipitous decline include loss of 
habitat, hunting and illegal poaching of cheetahs, this unique species, 
which is the world's fastest land mammal, has become extinct in more 
than half of its traditional historic range. Due to the efforts of 
outstanding international organizations, like the Cheetah Conservation 
Fund, its slide towards total extinction has been slowed but its future 
remains very much clouded. The sad reality is that many landowners in 
countries, like Namibia, consider cheetahs a pest and they kill them to 
protect their livestock. This philosophy must be changed if the cheetah 
has any hope of survival. The Great Cats Conservation Fund would make a 
positive difference in financing projects to work with impacted farmers 
and ranchers.

  Nearly 20 years ago, the Congress demonstrated farsighted 
international leadership and wisdom when it approved the first ever 
conservation fund to assist an endangered foreign flagship species. 
This law, known as the African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988, has 
been remarkably successful and all of the improvements in making these 
conservation grants really work have been incorporated within this 
legislation.
  For instance, under the terms of this bill, a prospective grantee 
would be required to submit a detailed overview of the project, how it 
would be implemented, how long it would take to complete the project, a 
demonstration of local support and an indication of whether and how 
much private matching funds would be forthcoming. The Secretary of the 
Interior would then carefully review each project and would select 
those that would have the most impact on conserving endangered big 
cats. Furthermore, this project would be monitored by the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, all expenditures would be audited and an advisory 
group to assist the Secretary may be convened.
  As a member of the International Conservation Caucus, it is my view 
that we have a responsibility to help save keystone species like 
cheetahs, leopards, lions and jaguars for future generations. In good 
conscience, how can we watch these species disappear forever without 
doing anything to assist them.
  This legislation will not by itself ensure the long-term survival of 
these endangered big cat species. Nevertheless, it is a positive step 
in the right direction, it builds upon the success of a proven program 
and it again demonstrates to the world that the United States is 
serious about international wildlife conservation.
  It is my hope that many of my colleagues will join with me in this 
effort by co-sponsoring this legislation and that the Subcommittee on 
Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, of which I proudly serve as the ranking 
Republican member, will hold a public hearing on the Great Cats 
Conservation Act.
  Madam Speaker, I urge support for this important wildlife 
conservation legislation.

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