Big Cat Preservation Society

[Gesar]

Mohammed Hassan Shah Qajar
Shahanshah of Iran, Pivot of the Universe, Lord of the Conjunction, Victory of the Government
Mulk-i Vasi' al-Fazā-yi īrān

Friends of the international community, we live in dark times, an era of poverty and war, where the old Bedouin proverb “I against my brother, my brother and I against our cousin, my cousin and I against the stranger” rings far too true. In these difficult times, it is my duty as Shahanshah of Iran and Protector of the Aryans to direct the attention of the international community towards an issue so often forgotten. The animals of this Earth, gifts of God, are at an impasse of their own - industrialization and overplanting have chased the largest predators towards the corners of the wilderness, reducing their numbers to that which might soon prove unsustainable in terms of the population of prey animals. Indeed, the Asiatic lion -the symbol of my very dynasty, and the ferocity of the Muslim people in defense of their faith- has been nearly hunted to extinction by Iranian and Afghan farmers rightly seeking to protect themselves.

But, as the Holy Qur'an says: “There is not an animal on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.” And while I recognize that the nations of the world do not, unfortunately, embrace the truth brought to this world by the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), I must note the significance of these sacred worlds. Scientists and theologians throughout the ages alike have noted the microcosm that is our environment, the most crucial part of which are the apex predators. Should we let, then, the majestic Asiatic lion, the jaguar of the Americas, the snow leopards that range from the Zagros to the Himalayas, be wiped off this Earth? That would be a sin, friends and servants of God, not merely as an affront to the natural way of the world, but an admittance of hubris in the eyes of the Most Merciful, who has given us such bounty.

It is therefore that I humbly, with the approval of my servants in the Majilis, will propose and ratify the Charter of the Big Cat Preservation Society. We invite all nations, regardless of the threat to such crucial wildlife within their nation, to voice and hopefully contribute their support.

CHARTER OF THE BIG CAT PRESERVATION SOCIETY

I: This Charter exists to provide for the protection of so-called “big cats” (scientifically, those of the subfamily Pantherinae and the genuses Lynx, Puma, Leopardus, and Acinonyx).

II: All signatory states will submit to the governing body of this organization (elected duly from among its participants) a list of species following within the above categories endemic to their borders.

III: All endemic species of big cats shall be subject to regular population censuses. Where overpopulated, a quota for licensed hunting of these animals will be issued by the signatory nations. In the matter of contributing states presently without significant overpopulation issues, attempts will be made to relocate the animals to zooological institutions with the aim of aiding programs towards the breeding and study of their species.
IIIa: Unless otherwise stated, the signatory nations also agree to ban the hunting of aforementioned species, save where indigenous practices and life-threatening emergencies are concerned.

IV: All signatory states will commit no less than [10 credits] towards the establishment of wildlife preserves in regions know for their concentration of big cats within their territories. Those who sign but lack a population significant enough to merit reserves may instead substitute this one-time due with an equal amount of funding aiding zoological projects as pertains to big cats in whichever means they find suitable.

Signed,
Mohammed Hassan Shah Qajar, Shahanshah of Iran

[Flaming Bolshevik]

The Bharatiya Commune would be interested in working to keep these majestic creatures from being hunted to extinction.

[Serenissima]

As the world's second-largest country by territorial area, Canada is a primary habitat for certain northern species of big cats, particularly the Bobcat (Lynx rufus), the Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis) and the Cougar (Puma concolor). We would be happy to join this initiative, and are pleased to report that we have already established fifteen National Parks with wildlife reserves since 1885, under the provisions of the Dominion Forest Reserves and Parks Act, so while more reserves may be established over time as necessary, there is no immediate need for the establishment of further preserves.

[Gesar]

Mulk-i Vasi' al-Fazā-yi īrān

Although we have significant moral and political differences with the Commune, we welcome their contribution eagerly, as the aim of this organization is one that will transcend the boundaries of our currently divided world. The same applies for our friends in Britain, despite our historical differences.

[Smyg]

Paul Marais de Beauchamp, 5th Baron Soye

Having been appointed to the Imperial Government of France as its Minister of Natural Protection, and put in charge of the Empire's royal parklands and conservation areas across Africa, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Corsica, and of course mainland France itself, it falls to me to say this: We accept His Majesty the Shah's invitation, and shall endeavour to protect the Eurasian lynx, the Senegal lion, the Saharan cheetah, and the African leopard. We'll also happily cooperate on foreign project.

[Naiami]

Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs

Whilst times are difficult in the Russian Republic, her natural resources have always been one of her great strengths. It is paramount that these resources be tended to and protected so that they are there from now till the far future. As the largest country in the world by land area, and host to a number of rare species of Asiatic big cat, Russia hereby signs and agrees to establish protected sanctuaries in the home ranges of the following species:

Amur/Siberian Tiger
Far Eastern Leopard
Snow Leopard
Lynx
Caucasian/Persian Leopard

[Red John]

The Qing Empire, led by the Heavenly Son, Ruler of All Under Heaven, His Radiant Highness, The Great Emperor Above, His Holy Highness, Lord of Ten Thousand Years, does pledge to support this most noble of initiatives. It speaks volumes of the Mighty Shah's pure and honest character, that he would so diligently fight to protect these noble creatures from extinction at the hands of brutes and barbarians.

We have always shown appropriate respect to the many creatures which inhabit the vast lands of China; and it is recognising this long and proud history of tolerance, that we must take it upon ourselves to do even more to ensure the continued existence of these heavenly animals.

To those who would disregard this proposal, it is clear to all that you are merely 井底之蛙.

[Gesar]

Mulk-i Vasi' al-Fazā-yi īrān

The Shah welcomes all those who have signed the Charter of this Society with open arms and a prayer for the future. We wish to remind those that cannot currently offer further preserves, or those who lack a population of big cats significant or threatened enough to warrant intervention, that the Charter of this treaty also obligates the creation of zoological institutions where they might be observed, studied, and cherished by the peoples of nations who have not witnessed their majesty.