A WWF camera trap survey has captured photographs of five wild cat species in a threatened Sumatran forest.

The Sumatran tiger is a Critically Endangered species

Photogenic felines

Many species of wild cat can be somewhat secretive, but this latest camera trap survey, carried out in a threatened forest corridor which links Bukit Tigapuluh forest and the Rimbang Baling Wildlife Sanctuary in Riau Province, has yielded some wonderful images.

Five different species of wild cat were photographed in the as-yet unprotected area of forest in Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest island, including the Sumatran tiger which is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Photographs were taken of the Sunda clouded leopard, also known as Diard’s clouded leopard, and the marbled cat, which are classified as Endangered and Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List respectively. Two further felids captured on camera were the elusive Asian golden cat and the small leopard cat.

Male marbled cat

Deforestation

Sumatra suffers from one of the highest levels of deforestation in the world, and since 1985 has lost half of its forest cover, according to a detailed report released by WWF. With approximately half a million hectares of forest being cleared annually, Sumatra has become a focus in the fight to save the rainforests.

Aditya Bayunanda, WWF-Indonesia’s coordinator for the Global Forest Trade Network (GFTN) programme, highlighted the main threats to the area’s forests and biodiversity: “Much of the natural forest area in the landscape is threatened by large scale clearance for industrial logging, pulp and paper, as well as illegal encroachment for palm oil plantation development.”

Leopard cat

Threatened forests

Part of Bukit Tigapuluh forest has been designated as a national park and therefore is protected, yet forests surrounding the park, which have already been selectively logged, are now at risk of being completely cleared.

Except for the leopard cat, all of the species caught on camera in WWF’s survey are protected by Indonesian government regulations.

“This underscores the rich biodiversity of the Bukit Tigapuluh landscape and the forest corridors that connect to it,” says Karmila Parakkasi, coordinator of the WWF-Indonesia Tiger Research Team. “These amazing cat photos also remind us of how much we could lose as more of these fragile forests are lost.”

Capturing images of five different cat species is certainly an impressive feat, although the largest number of cat species reported to be present in a single habitat was in a recently protected forest in India, where seven were recorded.

Diard's clouded leopard, also known as the Sunda clouded leopard

Action for protection

Aditya Bayunanda believes that the presence of these fascinating cat species should encourage the Indonesian government to take action to save the forest in which they live: “Concession licenses of companies operating in these areas, such as Barito Pacific, should be reviewed and adjusted according to Indonesian Ministry regulations, which state that concession areas with the presence of endangered species should be protected by the concessionaire.”

As well as a variety of cats, Bukit Tigapuluh is home to thousands of other species, including Sumatran orang-utans and Sumatran elephants, and WWF-Indonesia hopes that the National Park will be expanded to better protect its biodiversity.

Read more on this story and see the camera trap images at Mongabay.com – Photos: five wild cat species documented in Sumatran forest imperiled by logging.

View photos and videos of cat species on ARKive.

Kathryn Pintus, ARKive Species Text Author

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With over 40 species of felid on ARKive, it was no easy task to whittle the list down to a purr-fect top ten.  But I lapped up the challenge and have highlighted the paws-able species out there. If there are any felids you think should have been honoured on the list and it is a catastrophe that they are not featured, do let us know!

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Straight out of the starting blocks, the record breaking cheetah. Renowned for being the fastest land mammal, the cheetah can reach speeds of up to 87 kilometres an hour, beating the fastest human over 100 metres by a whopping 3 seconds. Unlike other cats, the cheetah’s claws are not retractable, helping it to grip the ground in high speed chases.

Pallas’s cat  (Otocolobus manul)

Its dense fur coat gives Palla’s cat a distinctly endearing appearance. It has got a practical purpose though, as Palla’s cat is found in cold, frosty uplands. Unlike other small cats, the pupils in the large eyes of Pallas’s cat contract to small circles rather than slits.

Sand cat  (Felis margarita)

A favourite in the ARKive office, the sand cat is expertly adapted to the desert. With footpads covered in thick hair, they can move comfortably over scorching sand, and they don’t need water sources, getting all the water they need from their food. But the real reason we love the sand cat? They’re just so darn cute!  

Fishing cat  (Prionailurus viverrinus)

Ever seen a cat that likes to swim? Not all felids are as hydrophobic as you’d think. The fishing cat, as the name suggests, frequently gets wet to prey on fish, diving to hunt or just scooping them out. We’ve some fantastic footage of this on ARKive so check it out!

Caracal  (Caracal caracal)

The caracal gets its name from the Turkish “karakulak”, meaning black-eared, and it’s easy to see why. The distinctive tufts at the end of the ears are thought to aid in communication between individuals. Showing tremendous bursts of speeds, the caracal is also a formidable predator, shown superbly in this infrared footage.

Wildcat  (Felis silvestris)

The wild ancestor of the domestic cat, the wildcat is very similar in appearance to the common moggy. Close to our own hearts here in the ARKive office, it is the only native cat species to the UK. Found in Europe, Africa and Asia, the wildcat currently has the largest range of any wild felid.

Clouded leopard  (Neofelis nebulosa)

The clouded leopard is an absolutely stunning animal. Named after the “cloud” patterns on its coat, the clouded leopard has a lengthy tail equivalent to it’s body length, providing essential balance for its impressive tree climbing abilities – it’s been seen running head first down tree trunks and hanging upside down by its hind legs. A true arboreal acrobat!

Tiger  (Panthera tigris)

A solitary species with fantastically effective camouflage, you’d be extremely lucky to spot one of these striped cats in the wild. The tiger is an endangered species, and with three out of nine subspecies becoming extinct in the 20th century, it’s imperative to resolve human conflicts with this fearsome predator and conserve the remaining subspecies.

Jaguarundi  (Puma yagouaroundi)

The Jaguarundi is possibly the strangest looking cat species, looking more like a weasel than a felid. But it’s not just its appearance that makes this unusual felid the odd one out. They have unusually large ranges for a cat, and are mostly active in the day, making them easier to spot. They’ll eat any small animals they can catch, and have even been known to swat birds from the air!

Lion  (Panthera leo)

And finally, no top ten cat list would be complete without the king of them all, the majestic lion. One of the largest cats, the lion uses brute strength to prey on animals many times its size. Although this footage shows they’re not always boss! Once the most widespread large land mammal after humans, lions are now restricted to sub-Saharan Africa and western India.

Lauren Pascoe, ARKive Media Researcher

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The 29^th July marks Global Tiger Day, a chance to celebrate these beautiful cats in all their glory and highlight their need for protection.

A very handsome Bengal tiger family

Although the tiger probably tops many people’s list of favourite animals, hunting has sadly pushed this magnificent feline to the brink of extinction. Once spread throughout central and southern Asia, now only scattered populations remain in India, Southeast Asia, Sumatra, China and the Russian Far East. Nine subspecies of tiger are recognised and only six of these remain today, after the Bali, Javan and Caspian tigers all became extinct in the latter part of the 20th century.

It seems likely that the South China tiger may now be Extinct in the Wild

The Sumatran tiger is also considered to be Critically Endangered

While the future may seem bleak for the Critically Endangered South China and Sumatran tigers, recent news that tiger numbers in India may be beginning to rise has inspired conservationists that all may not be lost. Mike Baltzer, Head of WWF’s Tigers Alive Initiative says that “these results show that with good protection, unyielding government commitment and robust participation from partners and civil society, poaching can be reduced and tigers can thrive”.

Is the future looking brighter for these playful Bengal tiger cubs?

With this in mind, Global Tiger Day should be seen as a chance to celebrate, whilst increasing public awareness about what can be done to help. WWF offices in tiger countries will join governments and the general public in a range of celebratory events from film screenings and tv shows to educational talks and even a tiger painting competition!

It's harder than you think to spot a tiger!

If you are holding your own celebration we would love to hear from you!

For more information on Global Tiger Day you can visit the WWF website.

And finally, why not check out ARKive’s fantastic tiger photos and videos.

Claire Lewis, ARKive Media Researcher

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Populations of tigers, elephants, rhinos and many other species are being decimated by immense organised crime syndicates and the illegal wildlife trade, according to a recent paper by WCS conservationist Elisabeth Bennett.

Sumatran tigress

Illegal trade in wildlife parts is becoming increasingly sophisticated, backed by highly efficient organised crime rings. This, coupled with dated enforcement methods, is causing populations of some of the world’s most charismatic species to plummet on an unprecedented scale.

The paper, published last month in Oryx, suggests that much of the trade is driven by wealthy East Asian markets that have a ‘seemingly insatiable appetite’ for wildlife parts.

Demand driven by East Asian markets

High-value body parts and products, such as rhino horn and bear bile, are just two of the much sought after items often destined for East Asian markets. Each year, international organisations such as TRAFFIC and CITES report on hundreds of cases of illegal trade in wildlife from around the world.

According to Bennett, sophisticated smuggling operations carried out by organised crime syndicates have allowed the gangs to devastate wildlife populations more than ever before.

Skins of poached Indian rhinoceros, Nepal

Current enforcement systems were not established to tackle wildlife crime seen on today’s scale, and weak governance and inadequate resources facilitate the flourishing trade. The paper highlights some of the elaborate methods used by the crime rings, including hidden compartments in shipping containers, rapidly changing smuggling routes to avoid detection, and the use of e-commerce (buying and selling online), making it difficult to detect locations.

“Unless we start taking wildlife crime seriously and allocating the commitment of resources appropriate to tackling sophisticated, well-funded, globally-linked criminal operations, populations of some of the most beloved but economically prized, charismatic species will continue to wink out across their range, and, appallingly, altogether” says Bennett.

Urgent need for law enforcement

In her paper, Bennett highlights that enforcement of wildlife laws is an immediate short-term solution to stave off local extinction of wildlife.

Enforcement includes everything from increasing the numbers of staff at all points of the trade chain, to ensuring that staff are highly trained and well-equipped. New technology may also help with enforcing wildlife laws, such as smart-phone apps with species identification programs.

Guard showing all the animal traps collected within two months in Virunga National Park, habitat of the mountain gorilla

“Enforcement is critical,” says Bennett, “Old-fashioned in concept but needing increasingly advanced methods to challenge the ever-more sophisticated methods of smuggling. When enforcement is thorough, and with sufficient resources and personnel, it works.”

Success in tackling the devastating illegal trade in wildlife, says Bennett in her paper, will necessitate commitment from governments and non-governmental organizations and the support of civil society.

Read the WCS Press Release.

Read the paper in Oryx.

Helen Roddis, ARKive Species Text Author

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Indian rhinoceros

A rapid decline in wildlife and the eradication of the Indian rhino during a decade-long insurgency led to the inscription of Manas Wildlife Sanctuary on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992. 

However, a UNESCO/IUCN monitoring mission to the sanctuary earlier this year noted that huge progress has been made to increase the populations of key species, including tigers, Asian elephants and Indian rhinos. Threats have declined significantly and the park infrastructure has improved, according to the mission report. 

“The great efforts by the Indian authorities to support recovery of wildlife populations and improve the overall park management have brought about a positive change for one of India’s natural treasures,” says Tim Badman, Director of the IUCN’s World Heritage Programme. 

“The Sanctuary is on a good track, but the work and funding to secure its future need to be sustained.”

Barasingha with velvet on antlers

Reintroduction of the Indian rhino to Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is currently underway, with funding for conservation projects secure until the end of the year. 

The mission report recommended that a restoration programme be established for the barasingha, also known as the swamp deer, as it seems unlikely that this species will recover without direct conservation efforts. It also suggested that a tourism management plan be developed with local communities, so that ecotourism can be established as an alternative livelihood. 

Peter Shadie, Deputy Head of IUCN Delegation, added “While the focus of media and public attention is usually on the new sites to be added to the World Heritage List, the protection of sites already on the list plays an equally important role in ensuring the future of our world heritage.” 

“The List of World Heritage in Danger is a practical way of providing support to the sites that need it the most.”

Read the IUCN press release – Manas Wildlife Sanctuary on the road to recovery. 

View more images and videos of the Indian rhinoceros on ARKive. 

Alex Royan, ARKive Species Text Author

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