This Halloween, National Geographic Inspires Kids to "Cause An Uproar" and Trick or Treat for Big Cats

Annual Campaign Includes DIY Cat-O-Lanterns, Face Painting, Masks and Costumes at CauseAnUproar.org

Free, Colorful Collection Boxes Available at Pottery Barn Kids, Schools and Online; Participants Eligible to Receive Variety of Thank-You Gifts

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This Halloween, Nat Geo WILD and National Geographic Kids are encouraging all trick-or-treaters to Cause An Uproar and collect change along with their candy to support National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative (BCI), a long-term effort to halt the decline of these animals in the wild.

Big cats have captured our imaginations with their strength, skill and beauty. From The Lion King to Winnie the Pooh's best friend Tigger, big cats have resonated with American audiences of all ages. But illegal hunting, habitat loss and retaliatory killings are causing lions, tigers and other felines to vanish at an alarming rate along with their defining roar. As keystone predators, the fate of big cats is critical to the survival of their prey as well as surrounding ecosystems. "We no longer have the luxury of time when it comes to big cats," said National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dereck Joubert, who, with National Geographic, launched the Big Cats Initiative. "They are in such a downward spiral that if we hesitate now, we will be responsible for extinctions across the globe. If there was ever a time to take action, it is now."

Free Trick-or-Treat for Big Cats collection boxes are available at Pottery Barn Kids stores, participating schools, National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at causeanuproar.org, where people can request boxes sent directly to homes, schools, clubs and other community locations. Everyone who participates is eligible to receive a thank-you gift, including magazine subscriptions, apparel and digital downloads (eligibility based on funds submitted by November 30, 2011). Details can be found at www.causeanuproar.org.

Parents, kids, teachers and big cat lovers nationwide are also encouraged to visit www.causeanuproar.org, for creative resources such as original Big Cat costumes, masks, face painting, cat-o-lantern stencil and other feline festivities. October's Halloween-themed National Geographic Kids magazine also features make-your-own Big Cat costumes and fun Halloween facts.

Money collected will fund research, education and real-world solutions to help reverse the rapid disappearance of big cat populations. Current projects include assessment, livestock protection, partnerships with local communities, and conservation education.

Educators, students and parents are also being encouraged to Cause An Uproar in their schools. This September, National Geographic hosted a national Big Cats Educators Conference in Washington, D.C., to share free, multi-subject, multi-grade educational resources built around Big Cats.

For more information, visit www.causeanuproar.org.

SOURCE National Geographic