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July Feature Felid

Leopard Cat
Prionailurus bengalensis

About the size of a domestic cat, the leopard cat maintains the broadest geographic distribution of all the small Asian cats. This small, slim, spotted cat is found in 21 Asian countries and varies so much in coloration and size that it was originally thought to be several different species. In general, the background color of the coat is tawny and the underparts white, but the color and pattern of marking are both very variable. Black spots of varying size and shape mark the body and limbs. The head is marked with two prominent dark stripes that extend from the inner corner of each eye to the base of the ear.

Interestingly, leopard cats have an affinity for water and are excellent swimmers. They live in habitats from lowland tropical evergreen rainforest and plantation forests at sea level to the moist temperate and dry forests in the Himalayan foothills at elevations of 1,000 to 3,000 meters. Within their habitats, leopard cats are agile climbers and can be quite arboreal, hunting and resting comfortably at three to four meters off the ground.

Similar to other cat species, the leopard cat is primarily nocturnal and solitary. The spatial arrangement of these cats consisted of adult males covering larger home ranges than adult females, and each of the male’s range overlapped one or more female ranges.
The leopard cat is threatened by broadscale habitat modification and forest clearance for agriculture, tea plantations, and exotic tree plantations, as cleared areas lack the understory necessary for the cat and its prey to survive. This cat is also threatened by hunting for skins. Currently, the leopard cat is classified under the least concern (LC) category of the IUCN Red List and is protected under appendices one and two in CITES.

Felidae Conservation Fund is currently supporting the Bornean Wild Cat and Clouded Leopard Project, where the leopard cat is one of five wild cat species being studied. This study will investigate the behavior and ecology of the five species of Bornean wild cats and explore the effects of habitat alteration on these cats. This project will also increase awareness of the Bornean wild cats and their conservation needs, train host country scientists and students in mammal field-research techniques, and investigate threats to the these cats from hunting and trade in Sabah.

Join The Felidae Community

Welcome to Felidae Conservation Fund

The Felidae Conservation Fund aims to protect all felidae species and their habitats globally by partnering in excellent science, driving international conservation, and sharing cutting edge education and outreach models.

Felidae collaborates on strategic research studies that clearly define a process to understand human impact on wild cats and wild places. There are important steps we can take now to minimize the devastation. The goal is to prevent further extinction of felidae species, and to preserve complete ecosystems around the world. Our contributions build new outlooks toward wild cats and the preservation of global ‘wildness’.

Felidae Conservation Fund is committed to spawning compelling educational messages through stories, visual media and outreach campaigns that pilot a healthy coexistence of humans and felidae species around the world.

News on Felidae

Here are links to news on Felidae Conservation Fund. Learn more about Felidae here.

Two New Puma Research Projects Launched

We are excited to announce the launch of two new puma research projects. The Bay Area study has begun its pilot phase in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Patagonia puma project is off to a great start with the successful collaring of three puma's. Learn more about these studies here.

June 25, 2008 - Grand Opening

Felidae Conservation Fund has moved to our new home at
116 Main Street, Tiburon CA. We held a reception on June 25th to celebrate our grand opening. More info.

A Few of Our Research Projects

We select strategically critical global projects to support sustained biodiversity for all Felid species in their natural habitats. We strive to preserve 37 Felidae species in the wild for our future generations, and to involve local communities at all levels, to understand the significance of felidae species in every global ecosystem. Visit our projects to learn about Felidae collaboration on some exciting research work here.

In Memory of Eric York

Felidae Conservation Fund remembers Eric York. Eric, a highly respected wildlife biologist, worked tirelessly on behalf of research and conservation efforts around the world, and retained an uncanny connection to wildlife. We are honored to have his valuable contributions to our work and we will greatly miss his generous spirit and easygoing manner. This is a tragic loss for wildlife conservation and those who were touched directly and indirectly by Eric York. Read more.

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