In addition to large cat species such as tigers (Panthera tigris) and leopards (Panthera pardus), our understanding of other cat species remains limited. However, Southeast Asia is home to nine small to medium-sized cat species apart from the Panthera family. Some of these species are relatively unfamiliar, yet they are highly vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss.
"These species are also a priority for conservation due to their rarity and the level of threat they face," explained conservation researchers Christine Breitenmoser, Will Duckworth, and Antony Lynam in a recent interview with mongabay.com.
Our knowledge of various cat species, including their habitats, is still lacking. Current research primarily focuses on tiger habitats in forests, overlooking the preferred habitats of cats such as the fishing cat, flat-headed cat, and jungle cat, which thrive in wetlands, rivers, and shrubby forests.
The most significant threat to cat species in this region is habitat destruction. Southeast Asian forests currently face the highest deforestation rates globally. Forests are being cleared in Indonesia and Malaysia for palm oil, rubber, and industrial timber plantations, while in Thailand and Indochina, lowlands and riverine areas are converted for agriculture.
In general, human activities in wetland areas (including peat swamp forests), hunting, and the loss of various wildlife species worsen the situation.
Cat Species in Southeast Asia and Their Conservation Status:
Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii): Near Threatened
Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis): Least Concern
Marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata): Vulnerable
Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi): Vulnerable
Tiger (Panthera tigris): Endangered
The flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) and the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) are two cat species that require extensive research and conservation attention.
"To date, we have very limited knowledge about their ecology, habitat preferences, and activity patterns. Some field studies rely solely on camera trap images. Therefore, small cats deserve more attention from conservationists and researchers," emphasized Christine Breitenmoser, Will Duckworth, and Antony Lynam.
I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to
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understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia.
I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine.
I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan"
I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy
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