How Many Big Cat Species Are There in IBCA?

India has a long experience in saving the big Cat Species like the tiger, Lion, and other big cat species. To save the tigers, India launched the Tiger Project in April 1973. On the successful implementation of 50 years of the Tiger Project, the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) for global conservation of Big Cat Species at Mysuru, Karnataka, on April 09, 2023. But, do you know about the IBCA and how many big cat species are there in the IBCA? 

So, let’s explore this article in detail and learn more about the IBCA and the number of Big Cat Species in this alliance.

What is the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)?

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 96 big cat range countries and non-range countries that aims to conserve the 7 big cat species and their habitats.

How Many Big Cat Species are There in IBCA?

There are seven Big Cat Species in IBCA, which focuses on the conservation of these species in the world. These 7 Big Cat Species are: 

1. Tiger

2. Lion

3. Leopard

4. Snow Leopard

5. Cheetah

6. Jaguar

7. Puma

These seven Big Cat Species are found in the maximum number of places in the world.

Which of These 7 Big Cats Are Found in India?

Out of 7 Big Cat Species, 5 are found in India, which is recognised by IBCA. These five big cats in India are:

1. Tiger

2. Asiatic Lion

3. Leopard

4. Snow Leopard

5. Cheetah (reintroduced in 2022 after being extinct in India for over 70 years)

The other two, Jaguar and Puma, are not found in India. They are mailny found in South America.

How Many Total Big Cat Species Found in India?

Accordion to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the total Big Cat Species found in India is given in a table: 

Source: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

Interesting Facts About IBCA and Big Cats

• IBCA was started on the day of the 50 years of the launch of the Project Tiger (April 9, 2023).

• As of 2025, India boasts 58 Tiger Reserves, making it the country with the largest number of Tiger Reserves in the world.

• The snow leopard is the state animal of Ladakh as well as Himachal Pradesh.

• Cheetah reintroduction in India is a collaboration between India, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.

• On 23/01/2025, the Framework Agreement of IBCA officially came into force.

• India is the only country in the world to have all five of IBCA's big cats cat species that are naturally occurring or reintroduced to its land.

So, now you all know about the IBCA and how many big cat species are in the IBCA. There are 7 big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. Out of these, 5 big cats live in India, which is important for conserving the wildlife of India. India's leadership in IBCA reveals its dedication towards conserving these beautiful animals.