Number: 1978-39
WHEREAS, international sanctions against trade in critically endangered species of spotted cats have elevated the bobcat to a role of commercial importance; and
WHEREAS, in several states, a lack of research on, and management of, bobcats prevails, and adequate population information is unavailable; and
WHEREAS, the best available evidence indicates that bobcat populations in some states have recently suffered, or are now suffering population declines; and
WHEREAS, it has not been fully established whether such declines are the result of trapping, habitat loss, decline of prey species or other cause; and
WHEREAS, states possess the desire and responsibility for the management and regulation of resident wildlife species;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled, March 16-19, 1978, in Phoenix, Ariz., urge the states to review their existing research and management programs for bobcats and determine as specifically as possible what biological information and management programs are most appropriate to insure the continued existence of healthy populations of bobcats in their states, and that they develop or refine techniques for monitoring the take of bobcats to insure that the harvest of bobcats is not detrimental to their survival.