Have you ever seen a wild cat listed as “Endangered” or “Vulnerable” and wondered what that really means? You’re not alone — and that’s where the IUCN Red List comes in.
If you care about protecting wild cats (and the planet!), it helps to understand how scientists track which species are thriving — and which ones are in trouble. That’s exactly what the IUCN does. Think of this as your quick, no-stress guide to what the Red List is and why it matters.
Founded in 1948, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership-based body of over 1,400 organizations dedicated to preserving the world’s nature, including governmental agencies, NGOs, scientists, Indigenous organizations, and other conservation-focused bodies from around the world, including Panthera. It is the largest environmental network in the world, supporting conservation initiatives and commissions around the globe. Additionally, its members meet every two to four years to debate the latest science and issue resolutions and recommendations. Therefore, it is a trusted scientific advisory tool for global governing bodies.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is a science-based tool used to assess the conservation status of a species, subspecies, or subpopulation. Scientists conduct periodic studies of animals, fungi and plants to classify their conservation status as a barometer of risk. After a listing is made, governments and NGOs use it to inform their conservation initiatives and environmental policies.
There are nine IUCN Red List categories.
From most dire to least, they are:
Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable animals are considered at risk of extinction. However, it is important that conservation initiatives focus not only on these species (though deservedly so), but also on all the biodiversity surrounding them.
As a member of the IUCN, Panthera collaborates with a global network of conservation organizations to help shape international strategies, contribute scientific expertise, and influence policies that protect wild cats and their habitats. Our scientists and staff serve as experts, assessors, and advisors, playing a central role in updating the IUCN Red List by providing critical field data and conservation insight.
We’re closely involved in the work of the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Cat Specialist Group, where several Panthera scientists serve as expert members, and we also contribute more broadly to assessments of both iconic big cats and lesser-known small cats. For example, in 2022, Panthera led the species-wide Red List assessment for tigers, which revealed that global tiger numbers may be on the rise.
Four cat species are currently listed as Endangered: tigers, Andean cats, bay cats, and flat-headed cats. Even more wild cat subspecies and subpopulations, including Critically Endangered Arabian leopards, are considered Endangered or Critically Endangered. We have tailored conservation initiatives aimed at preserving each of these species, along with other Endangered or Critically Endangered subspecies and subpopulations.
Curious about which species are at risk? Check out the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — it’s the global guide to the animals that need our help the most.
By contributing our expertise to the IUCN’s global conservation efforts, Panthera helps ensure that every wild cat species — big or small — has a fighting chance for survival.
Every donation to Panthera directly supports the protection of wild cats around the world. Together, we can make a difference.
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© Sebastian Kennerknecht
