The Big Cat Sanctuary is a charity dedicated to protecting and preserving the world’s most threatened wild cats through exceptional care, rescue, and conservation. Working with global partners, they support threatened species breeding programmes, develop recovery strategies, raise awareness, and create ethical, sustainable experiences that inspire further action. Guided by their five core pillars of Welfare, Breeding, Education, Conservation, and Rescue, they strive to secure a future for wild cats, and their habitats around the world.
CSS Cats - The Big Cat Sanctuary
Established in 2025, the Centre for Species Survival Cats is proudly hosted by The Big Cat Sanctuary, UK, in collaboration with the SSC and the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group (Cat SG). This partnership is dedicated to supporting the survival and recovery of wild cats worldwide.
About our work
Working across the Species Conservation Cycle (Assess-Plan-Act-Network-Communicate), the CSS Cats supports the use of IUCN knowledge tools (e.g. IUCN Red List, IUCN Green Status of Species) to assess the conservation status of wild cats and inform strategic conservation planning, including the development of a new Global Cat Conservation Strategy. The Centre aims to provide capacity building through the delivery of training for early-career cat conservationists and by supporting species Working Groups. In addition, the CSS Cats partnership raises awareness of wild cats and their conservation, for example, through Cat News articles, social media, and on-site educational materials at The Big Cat Sanctuary.
Supporting the Species Conservation
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Effective planning for the survival and recovery of cats
Effective planning for the survival and recovery of species requires a clear understanding of conservation status. Through the facilitation of assessment workshops and the compilation of data, the Centre supports the assessment of all cat species and subspecies under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and IUCN Green Status of Species. In collaboration with the Cat SG and global partners, the CSS Cats will implement these assessments in the development of strategic conservation plans, including a new Global Cat Conservation Strategy.
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Collaboration is crucial for successful conservation
Collaboration is crucial for successful conservation. To build capacity in wild cat conservation, the CSS Cats is developing a training course for early-career cat conservationists. Following the Species Conservation Cycle, the course aims to guide participants in the use of IUCN knowledge tools, strategic planning, and conservation action, providing the skills to drive collaborative, adaptive, and impactful conservation. The Centre will also strengthen the IUCN and SSC network by supporting species Working Groups, collaborating with other IUCN and SSC network members, and participating in meetings and conferences.
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Sharing knowledge improves coordination and impact
Sharing knowledge improves coordination and impact. By implementing a joint communications strategy, the CSS Cats raises awareness of wild cats and their conservation. Benefitting from The Big Cat Sanctuary’s 4 million plus followers across their social channels, the CSS Cats aims to inform and inspire a large and diverse range of audiences worldwide through Cat News articles, multi-channel digital communications, scientific presentations at events and conferences, joint campaigns, and on-site educational materials at The Big Cat Sanctuary.
Meet our team
Andrea Dempsey
Species Survival Coordinator
Andrea is the Species Survival Coordinator for CSS Cats and CSS UK. She has worked in the zoological sector since 2004 and holds an MSc in Primate Conservation. She is Conservation Programme Manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary and works closely with the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group. She is a qualified Red List Assessor and Trainer.
EXPERTISE: Species conservation action
Elliot Carlton
Species Survival Officer
Elliot is a Species Survival Officer for CSS Cats. He supports the coordination of IUCN Red List and Green Status of Species assessments for cat species and subspecies. He previously worked with the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group and serves on the Green Status Integration and Adoption Committee of the IUCN Green Status of Species Working Group.
EXPERTISE: Species conservation action, Species conservation science
Ella Le Borgne
Species Survival Officer
Ella is a Species Survival Officer for CSS Cats. She supports the coordination of IUCN Red List assessments and contributes to the development of the Cat Conservation Curriculum alongside the IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group. She brings experience working in Africa and expertise in database management within conservation projects.
EXPERTISE: Species conservation science
Cameron Whitnall
Managing Director, The Big Cat Sanctuary
Cam is the Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent. Raised in a family-run zoo in Hertfordshire, he grew up alongside big cats and threatened species from around the world. He became widely known through the CBBC series One Zoo Three, which inspired young audiences with stories of wildlife and conservation. Today, he is a passionate advocate for wildlife and conservation.
Photo: Ben Cranke
Photo: Malini Pittet
Photo: Patrick Meier
