International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

What IBCA is—and why it matters

The International Big Cat Alliance is a treaty-based inter-governmental organization focused on the conservation of seven “big cats”: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma. It was launched on 9 April 2023, and the Framework Agreement entered into force on 23 January 2025. India hosts the Headquarters and Secretariat, with a Headquarters Agreement signed on 17 April 2025. India has committed ₹150 crore as initial support to create a corpus, infrastructure and meet recurring expenses.

IBCA’s core purpose is to facilitate collaboration, consolidate know-how, and mobilize finance across countries and organizations to secure big cat populations and their habitats worldwide.

Mandate: What IBCA does

• Coordinate multi-country programs that improve habitats, strengthen protection, fund research and training, and support community-based conservation.

• Act as a legal entity able to sign agreements, receive funds, and run programs through its Secretariat.

• Create a shared repository of conservation practices and expertise, and build capacity in range states.

Membership: Who can join and how it’s structured

• Who can be a Party? All UN member states (both range and non-range countries). About 95–96 are range countries. Organizations can get Observer status.

• Organs: An Assembly (one representative per Party) is the highest decision-making body; it appoints a Director-General and oversees the Secretariat headquartered in India.

• Legal standing: The Headquarters Agreement with India grants privileges and immunities like other international organizations.

The seven big cats at a glance

• Tiger (Panthera tigris) — Endangered; Asia

• Lion (Panthera leo) — Vulnerable; sub-Saharan Africa, Asiatic population in India

• Leopard (Panthera pardus) — Vulnerable; Africa and Asia

• Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) — Vulnerable; Central & South Asian mountains

• Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) — Vulnerable; Africa, reintroduced in India

• Jaguar (Panthera onca) — Near Threatened; the Americas (Mexico–Argentina)

• Puma (Puma concolor) — Least Concern; the Americas

All seven are CITES-listed (trade strictly regulated), most in Appendix I.

How IBCA plugs into global rules

• CITES: Trade controls, backed by ICCWC (CITES, INTERPOL, UNODC, World Bank, WCO). IBCA complements by focusing on habitat and enforcement capacity.

• CMS: Cheetah and snow leopard listed on Appendix I; Jaguar added in 2020—enabling connectivity and transboundary cooperation.

• Kunming–Montreal GBF: IBCA supports Target 3 (“30×30”) on well-connected and equitably governed protected areas.

Transboundary conservation frameworks to emulate

1. Tiger landscapes (Asia):
   – Terai Arc (India–Nepal): Corridor-based conservation with communities, holds 880+ tigers.
   – Global Tiger Initiative/Recovery Program (TX2).

2. Snow leopard range (Central & South Asia):
   – GSLEP & Bishkek Declaration: 12 countries coordinating on mountain ecosystems.

3. Jaguars (the Americas):
   – Jaguar Corridor Initiative (Panthera): Range-wide connectivity from Mexico to Argentina.

4. Delta & mangroves:
   – Sundarbans (India–Bangladesh) MoU: Joint management of a tiger seascape.

5. Law enforcement:
   – ICCWC Toolkit & Indicator Framework to strengthen anti-trafficking measures.

What effective IBCA programs look like

1. Connectivity first: Corridors and over/underpasses to reduce roadkill and secure gene flow.

2. Science-led monitoring: Standardize camera-trap surveys with SECR models and occupancy data.

3. Community partnerships: Livelihood support, fair compensation, co-management in conflict zones.

4. Trade suppression + justice: Pair field protection with strong CITES compliance and ICCWC frameworks.

5. Finance that fits landscapes: IBCA corpus and pooled funds to seed projects and attract global biodiversity/climate finance.

Quick revision notes

• IBCA: Treaty organization (in force 23 Jan 2025), HQ in India, ₹150-crore support.

• Membership: All UN countries; categories: Parties, Signatories, Observers. Organs: Assembly, DG, Secretariat.

• Seven cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, Puma (know IUCN status and ranges).

• Treaty hooks: CITES (trade control) + CMS (migratory/connectivity) + GBF Target 3 (30×30).

• Transboundary examples: Terai Arc, GSLEP, Jaguar Corridor, Sundarbans MoU, ICCWC tools.