LIONS AND OCEANS
In a message received from WWF:
WHAT DO LIONS AND THE WORLD’S OCEANS HAVE IN COMMON?
Lions and the world’s oceans both saw important progress in Congress recently. Thank you to everyone who spoke out on these two issues and participated in these campaigns.
Learn more about these positive developments.
House Holds Hearing on Bill to Protect Wild Cats and Canids
Members of Congress recently heard from nearly 13,000 WWF activists who encouraged them to support a bill that would protect lions, snow leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs and other wild cats and canids. Tigers have been protected under a similar program since 1994, and this new law would help many other species of wild cats and canids. The Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans of the House Committee on Natural Resources subsequently held a hearing which demonstrated widespread support for the measure. WWFs senior scientist was among those testifying. If you havent already done so, tell your members of Congress to cosponsor the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act.
United States Moves Closer to Joining Ocean Protection Treaty
More than 200 WWF supporters took the time to call Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urging him to hold a hearing on the international Law of the Sea Convention. They succeeded — Sen. Biden held two hearings recently. At the first, the Bush administration strongly supported ratification of the treaty. Private sector and nongovernmental organization representatives testified at the second. The Foreign Relations Committee must approve the treaty before it can be ratified by the Senate. The Law of the Sea Convention fosters sustainable ocean use and serves as a dynamic, living constitution for the worlds oceans. Learn more about the Law of the Sea treaty.
Thanks again for all you do.
Sincerely,
Jason Patlis
Vice President and Managing Director
U.S. Government Relations
World Wildlife Fund