Saudi joins big cat alliance

NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia on Friday joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) as its new member. So far, 26 of the total 95 big cats range countries have joined this treaty-based global entity as members.Besides founding member India, the countries which have already formally joined IBCA as members include Russia, Cambodia, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Armenia, Ethiopia, Mongolia and Rwanda among others.The alliance, India's brainchild, was launched with the aim of conserving seven big cats - Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma - in coordination with other countries. Except for Jaguar and Puma, India is home to five big cats.Primary objective of International Big Cat Alliance, headquartered in New Delhi, is to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise to achieve the conservation of big cats at a global level.