In addition to large cat species equivalent to tigers (Tiger Panther) and leopards (Panthera pardus), our knowledge of other cat species stays limited. However, Southeast Asia is home to nine small and medium-sized cat species, along with the Panthera family. Some of those species are relatively unknown and yet are highly at risk of extinction attributable to habitat loss.
“These species are also a conservation priority because of their rarity and the level of threat they pose,” explained conservation researchers Christine Breitenmoser, Will Duckworth and Antony Lynam in a recent interview with mongabay.com.
Our knowledge of assorted cat species, including their habitats, remains to be insufficient. Current research mainly focuses on tiger habitats in forests, ignoring the popular habitats of cats equivalent to the fishing cat, flathead cat and jungle cat, which live in wetlands, rivers and shrub forests.
The most vital threat to cat species on this region is habitat destruction. Southeast Asia’s forests currently face the very best deforestation rates on the earth. In Indonesia and Malaysia, forests are being cut down for palm oil, rubber and industrial timber plantations, while in Thailand and Indochina, lowlands and riverine areas are being converted for agriculture.
Overall, human activity in wetlands (including peat forests), hunting and the loss of assorted wildlife species are worsening the situation.
Cat species in Southeast Asia and their conservation status:
- Asian golden cat (Catopuma teminckii): Almost endangered
- Bay cat (Catopuma badia): Endangered
- Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebula): Sensitive
- Fishing cat (Prionailurus raccoon): Endangered
- flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps): Endangered
- jungle cat (Felis chaus): Least concern
- Leopard (Panther pardus): Almost endangered
- leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis): Least concern
- marble cat (Pardofelis marmorata): Sensitive
- Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi): Sensitive
- Tiger (Tiger panther): Endangered
A cat with a flat head (Prionailurus planiceps) and a fishing cat (Prionailurus raccoon) are two cat species that require extensive research and conservation attention.
“To date, we have now very limited knowledge of their ecology, habitat preferences and activity patterns. Some field studies rely solely on camera trap images. Therefore, small cats deserve more attention from ecologists and researchers,” emphasized Christine Breitenmoser, Will Duckworth, and Antony Lynam.
Source: Mongabay.co.id
