#RuthlessTrade key visual - a tiger lying on this side

#RuthlessTrade


The commercial trade with captive tigers is legal and out of control throughout the EU

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Lioness Nora lying in the grass

Rescues


FOUR PAWS helps big cats and many other animals under direct human influence

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Tiger Laziz in the grass at LIONSROCK

Sanctuaries


We provide species-appropriate homes for rescued animals all over the world

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Big Cats

Big cats have captivated people throughout history and are often seen as symbols of the ecosystems they inhabit. The term 'big cats' typically refers to any animal within the 'Panthera' genus, such as tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards.
 Unfortunately, the welfare and well-being of many big cats continues to be put at risk by commercial trade and exploitation, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal trade. It's therefore crucial to focus on long-term efforts to protect the future of these animals including, education and awareness campaigns, changes in laws and law enforcement, research and monitoring, and habitat preservation.

Worth Knowing About Lions and Tigers

Lion at LIONSROCK

10 Facts About Big Cats

How much do you know about these powerful feline predators? 

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Lion Ivan-Asen

THE TRANSFORMATION OF A RESCUED WILD ANIMAL

After being rescued, many of our animals go through a mental and physical transformation

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Lioness in Sudan

FAQ's on Big Cat Rescue Missions

Learn more about how we help suffering big cats across the world

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Big Cats: Way of Life & Behaviour

Big Cats: Way of Life & Behaviour

What characterizes these large carnivores and how do they spend their lives in the wild?

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Enrichment for Big Cats

Enrichment for Big Cats

An important part of animal management in human care allowing them to act out natural species behaviour 

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Group of Lions

Animals in groups

From gaggle to gaze, from troop to parade – discover the unusual and funny collective animal names

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The Suffering of Big Cats and What We Are Doing to End It

FOUR PAWS is lobbying to alter legislation and achieve lasting change for the better. We also rescue lions and tigers kept in bad conditions in captivity.  

Lion Lenci in Zoo

help for bIG CATS

How FOUR PAWS rescues big cats from bad keeping conditions

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#RuthlessTrade

It’s closer than you think! 

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Lion cubs in zoo

Wild Animals in Private Keeping

Wild animals, including big cats and bears, should not be kept as pets

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Two white lions

Captive Breeding For Exterior Traits

Commercial interests disguised as species protection

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cub petting

Big Cats on Breeding Farms

The truth behind the tourist attraction of cuddling and walking with a lion cub

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Tiger cub

Animal Welfare and Tourism

Selfies taken with bears in chains, on the back of an elephant or petting lion cubs. Animal welfare should not stop on holiday

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Tamer and tiger in a circus

Suffering on Tour: Wild Animals in Circuses

Animal abuse for entertainment is still happening throughout the world

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Two lion cubs in Bulgaria

Wild Animals in Zoos

Accommodating animals according to their needs

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Helping animals in wars and conflict zones

Rapid Response for ANimals

FOUR PAWS helps animals in the face of wars or in conflict zones

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FOUR PAWS team in action: men carrying a transport crate into a van

Animal Rescues


FOUR PAWS helps animals under direct human influence

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Find Out More

About FOUR PAWS big cats sanctuaries. Rescued big cats get a chance to live in an environment appropriate to their species. 

Tigress Dehli at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary

Our FOUR PAWS wild animal project in the Netherlands since 2014

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Lioness Neida at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

A FOUR PAWS project in South Africa since 2006

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Tigress Varvara at TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

A cooperation between FOUR PAWS and TIERART e.V. in Germany since 2013

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Al Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife

AL MA'WA FOR NATURE & WILDLIFE

A partnership project between Princess Alia Foundation and FOUR PAWS in Jordan

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Picture Galleries

Here you can see our lions and tigers happy in their new homes

Lion Jazz

Lions In Care of FOUR PAWS

Images of the lions in our big cat sanctuaries LIONSROCK and FELIDA


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Tigers in Care of FOUR PAWS

Tigers in Care of FOUR PAWS

Images of our beautiful rescued tigers at our sanctuaries


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lion lying in the high grass

Spring Has Arrived in Our Sanctuaries

The sun is shining and the weather is sweet!


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Puma Tikam

Gallery TIERART

Our wild animal sanctuary in Germany, is an animal-friendly haven for many beautiful animals


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Tiger enjoying a bath in a pool at LIONSROCK

Help us create a better world for Big Cats


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