WCN Wildlife Conservation Network

Leadership

The leadership of the Andean Cat Alliance reflects its character as a multinational coalition dedicated to the conservation of the feline throughout its four-country range. Lilián Villalba, a biologist from Bolivia, serves as General Coordinator. Each country has a Representative, and there are Working Group Coordinators for each program area.

Watch the Andean Cat Alliance
2012 Expo Presentation

Stuffed Andean cat, Photo: Mauro Lucherini

Threats

The Andean cat is the most endangered cat species in the Americas. It lives exclusively in the high-altitude deserts of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Only slightly larger than a domestic cat, it is sometimes killed under the misconception of being dangerous. Some local people use stuffed cats and skins in traditional dances and religious ceremonies and believe that killing a cat will bring good fortune.

Children's education program in Argentina, Photo: Elaine Iverson

Solutions

The Andean Cat Alliance, Alianza Gato Andino (AGA), works to protect the Andean cat in all four range countries. Conservationists from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru established the Alliance and produced a Conservation Action Plan in 2004. Collaboratively, they review current threats to the cat and coordinate conservation activities. Participation by local community members drives AGA's education and research programs.

Finding the Andean Cat

The Andean cat is one of the rarest cats in the world, and lives only in the high Andes Mountains. Any new information about the cat is exciting, especially when that information points to the presence of the Andean cat in a region of the Andes where it has not previously been found. More