The endangered flat-headed cat, also one of the world’s rarest wild felines, has been rediscovered in southern Thailand for the first time in nearly three decades, Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and Panthera Thailand, the global wild cat conservation organization, announced in time for Thailand Wildlife Protection Day, which is tomorrow.
The existence of the flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) was confirmed through remote camera trap images, marking the first detection in Thailand since 1995. Thirteen detections were made in 2024 and 16 detections were made this year in southern Thailand’s Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary, which is in Su-ngai Kolok district, Narathiwat, as part of the largest-ever survey of the species.
Scientists recorded a female flat-headed cat with her cub, confirming ongoing reproduction in the region, a significant finding given that litters typically produce just one cub.
The rarity of such detections underscores the species’ elusive nature: its small size, limited numbers and nocturnal behaviour make it exceptionally difficult to observe. Its preferred habitats like tropical rainforests, swampy and peat-swamp forests, marshes, lakes, streams and riverine forests, further complicate research efforts due to dense and inaccessible terrain.
With an estimated 2,500 adults remaining globally, the flat-headed cat is classified as endangered by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN). Within Thailand, IUCN has designated the species as “possibly extinct”.
New Panthera-led IUCN Red and Green List assessments on the species’ status are expected to be published next year, strengthening the scientific community’s global understanding of the species’ conservation status.
“This is a landmark moment for Thailand and a powerful reflection of our long-standing commitment to conservation,” said Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin. “For decades, the flat-headed cat has been classified as ‘likely extinct’, but after years of sustained protection, strong scientific partnerships and community stewardship, we can now celebrate its return to Thailand on National Wildlife Day. The flat-headed cat’s resurgence is a well-timed reminder that when we safeguard our natural heritage, we safeguard our nation’s wild habitats and future.”
Named for its distinctive flattened forehead and elongated skull, the flat-headed cat is the smallest wild cat in Southeast Asia, weighing less than half as much as a typical domestic cat. Thought to be most closely related to the leopard cat and fishing cat, the flat-headed cat has a short, tubular body with slender legs and a stubby tail. Webbed toes help the species navigate its preferred wetland and peat swamp ecosystems as an apex predator, where it competes for aquatic food.
Primary threats to the species include human-induced habitat loss from land conversion, fishing, agricultural encroachment, hunting, pollution of waterways and the spread of disease from domestic animals. Competition for habitat also shrinks its range and leaves more areas unsuitable for living and hiding, leaving the species to survive in mostly remote, undisturbed landscapes.
The rediscovery will serve as the foundation for DNP and Panthera Thailand’s effective conservation planning for the species, helping with research on home range size (by sex), habitat use, prey selection, interactions with other species, foraging times, population density, spatial distribution and adaptation to habitat changes. Strengthening the capacity of protected areas is vital for conserving the flat-headed cat.
In partnership with DNP, Panthera Thailand will enhance protection capacity in the Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary through training for park rangers with focuses on camp raid tactics, arrest report writing and Smart patrol training. Equipment provisions prioritize field gear and camera traps to monitor poachers and intelligence gathering is helping to interview community members and identify types, patterns and seasonal trends of threats from humans and other factors.
Local Muslim communities contribute indirectly to conservation of the species by not hunting wildlife for consumption or trade. Instead, they depend on fishing and collecting forest products. Although there appears to be no immediate threat from the community, outreach activities will help scientists better understand local conditions and identify preventive measures to mitigate potential conflicts before they arise.
Source: Bangkok Post