Six cat species found in Eastern Plains Landscape

Posted on February, 08 2013

Camera-trap pictures confirm the presence of six different cat species in the Eastern Plains Landscape (EPL) after the first photograph of an Asian Golden Cat was taken in December 2012.

Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia - Camera-trap pictures confirm the presence of six different cat species in the Eastern Plains Landscape (EPL) after the first photograph of an Asian Golden Cat was taken in December 2012. No other protected area in Cambodia can boast this many cat species and even, worldwide, this is very rare.

Camera-trapping conducted between 2008 and 2012 took pictures of Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Asian Golden Cat, Marbled Cat, Leopard Cat and Jungle Cat. This finding reminds us of the high global conservation value of the EPL. This is due to a combination of large areas of unbroken forest, a diversity of habitat types and strong law enforcement. A 7th cat species, the tiger, was last photographed in the landscape in November 2007 and is now feared extinct. However the Cambodian government is committed to tiger restoration within the landscape and in the future this beautiful felid may once again grace these forests.

For photos of all six cat species and the 2007 tiger photo, please visit our associated photo album.