The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds celebrate a bipartisan win for big cats.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate sent President Joe Biden the Big Cat Public Safety Act for approval.

The Big Cat Public Safety Act will strengthen federal law by prohibiting the possession of tigers, lions, cheetahs, and, cougars except by qualified entities. It would also end the unsafe and unethical use of big cats and their cubs for commercial photo-ops, petting, and activities that undermine animal care and welfare, encourage exploitation, and incentivize unscientific breeding for strictly commercial reasons.

“This is a tremendous step in the right direction. This bill is common sense legislation that protects the well-being of wildlife and the public. Our focus is, and always will be, on ensuring the best care for all animals. I’m proud of our teams for their part in the process. I’m also grateful for many of our state and federal leaders for their support of the Big Cat Public Safety Act,” said Tom Schmid, President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds.

The Columbus Zoo and The Wilds, and other Ohio zoos, successfully encouraged Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman to co-sponsor the bill. In fact, many members of the Ohio delegation cosponsored or supported the measure, including Representatives Troy Balderson, Joyce Beatty, and Bill Johnson. Collectively, these members of Congress represent the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds.

This is not the first time the Columbus Zoo has supported legislation to protect big cats and other wild animals. Following the Zanesville wild animal tragedy in 2011, the Columbus Zoo pushed for the enactment of Ohio’s Wild and Dangerous Animal law. As a result, limits on private ownership and registration requirements were placed on big cats in Ohio.

Since 1995, the Columbus Zoo has contributed nearly $1.3 million to big cat conservation programs, including three cheetah conservation organizations in four range countries: Cheetah Conservation Fund in Somalia and Namibia, Cheetah Outreach Trust in South Africa and Action for Cheetahs in Kenya. Additional projects supported for big cats include International Snow Leopard Trust; Wildlife Conservation Society’s Siberian Tiger project; and Ewaso Lion Project to ensure a future for Kenya’s lions through community-based conservation.