The necessity of movement for the long-term survival of Central Asia's big cats, snow leopards, Persian leopards and Arabian leopards, has never been more critical. Latest research reveals a dual reality: species like the snow leopard possess critically low genetic diversity, underscoring the vital role of gene flow to maintain resilience against climate change and disease. Simultaneously, rewilding and restoration efforts for Persian and Arabian leopards depend entirely on maintaining functional connectivity between countries.
This side event highlights the urgent need to keep international borders and expanding linear infrastructure such as roads, railways and pipelines permeable to wildlife. This session will argue the case for ecological restoration, rewilding and safeguarding the genetic highways of Asia. Experts will discuss integrating wildlife friendly measures into national policy and transboundary agreements, ensuring that economic development does not fracture the essential connectivity connecting the world's big cat populations.
Rationale/Justification
- Apex predators with low genetic diversity are at a disproportionately high risk to viability from fragmentation from barriers such as borders, roads or other unmitigated infrastructure. Existing connectivity must be treated as a non-renewable asset that must be protected to ensure the success of restoration and rewilding programs.
- This event hopes to present concrete policy recommendations and guidance to operationalize Article Ill of the CMS convention. It focuses on incorporating movement corridors into strategic environment assessments and harmonizing transboundary protocols to prioritize ecological connectivity.
- The event leverages work done by platforms such as IBCA, GSLEP and CAMI. It connects technical lessons from restoration and rewilding projects to opportunities offered by development banks and financial institutions to ensure population connectivity