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Elusive Wild Cat Rediscovered in Thailand After 30 Years
26 Dec
Summary
- A rare flat-headed cat was rediscovered in Thailand after a 30-year absence.
- The species, with only 2,500 adults left, was found in Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Camera traps captured the cat with its cub, offering hope for reproduction.
An elusive wild cat, absent from Thailand for three decades, has been rediscovered, offering a glimmer of hope for conservation efforts. The flat-headed cat, recognized as one of the world's most threatened felines, was last officially sighted in 1995. Recent surveys utilizing camera traps within the Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary have confirmed its presence, with the species detected 29 times.
The rediscovery is particularly significant as it included footage of a female flat-headed cat with her cub. This is an encouraging sign for a species that typically has only one offspring and struggles with reproduction in isolated habitats. Conservationists emphasize that while this is an exciting development, it marks only the beginning of crucial efforts to ensure the species' sustainable coexistence with humans.
Flat-headed cats are native to Southeast Asia, inhabiting dense wetland ecosystems, which are themselves under increasing threat from land conversion and agriculture. Their limited numbers, estimated at just 2,500 adults globally, and elusive nature make them difficult to study. Beyond Thailand, they are also found in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, with a diet primarily consisting of fish and amphibians.
