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| Small Cat Conservation Alliance |
Why is the Flat-headed cat important?
The Flat-headed cat will likely be IUCN Red List ENDANGERED in 2008.
The Flat-headed cat is the most aquatic of the cats, more aquatic than the Fishing cat!
The cat occurs in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. The cat is a lowland water
specialist feeding mainly on frogs and fish. I know of only one camera trap picture of
this cat. It was taken by Neil Franklin working in Way Kambas National Park in
southeast Sumatra in 1996. Despite tens of thousands of camera trap photographs
taken throughout Sumatra only a single individual has ever been photographed. I
believe this cat is in serious trouble throughout its range and should be listed as
Endangered. However, I have little scientific evidence to back me up. What I have is
a lot of looking and not finding this unique cat. I plan to continue my efforts. Please
be patient.
Many people thought that the Guigna would be impossible to find and difficult to
study. Even more people said the Andean mountain cat would never be found, much
less studied. We are running an extensive study now. We can and we will find the
Flat-headed cat. We will study it and discover and deal with threats to its continued
existence. But things take time. We are trying so far without success.
The Flat-headed cat will likely be IUCN Red List ENDANGERED in 2008.
The Flat-headed cat is the most aquatic of the cats, more aquatic than the Fishing cat!
The cat occurs in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. The cat is a lowland water
specialist feeding mainly on frogs and fish. I know of only one camera trap picture of
this cat. It was taken by Neil Franklin working in Way Kambas National Park in
southeast Sumatra in 1996. Despite tens of thousands of camera trap photographs
taken throughout Sumatra only a single individual has ever been photographed. I
believe this cat is in serious trouble throughout its range and should be listed as
Endangered. However, I have little scientific evidence to back me up. What I have is
a lot of looking and not finding this unique cat. I plan to continue my efforts. Please
be patient.
Many people thought that the Guigna would be impossible to find and difficult to
study. Even more people said the Andean mountain cat would never be found, much
less studied. We are running an extensive study now. We can and we will find the
Flat-headed cat. We will study it and discover and deal with threats to its continued
existence. But things take time. We are trying so far without success.
This male Flat-headed cat found its way to the Melaka
Zoo in Malaysia in 2000. In 2005 a female was
brought in. The two share the same small cage little
bigger than a closet in your house. Despite their
aquatic nature they have no pond. A new
state-of-the-art enclosure can be constructed for $US
8000. This would include a pond and more natural
surroundings for these beautiful cats.
Zoo in Malaysia in 2000. In 2005 a female was
brought in. The two share the same small cage little
bigger than a closet in your house. Despite their
aquatic nature they have no pond. A new
state-of-the-art enclosure can be constructed for $US
8000. This would include a pond and more natural
surroundings for these beautiful cats.
| Flat-headed cat project |
