Leopard cat

Write by: GSIEDA Data: Jan/13/2022

The leopard cat is a widely distributed species in Asia. Although different subspecies in most countries are classified as the least endangered species, in Taiwan, the population of fewer than 2,000 has reached the standard of "endangered" by the academic community. Because of Taiwan's extensive development of shallow mountain habitats, hunting, and trade in mountain products, the distribution area of the Leopard cat has been shrinking and the number has gradually decreased. Today, only Miaoli, Taichung, Nantou, and Changhua Bagua Mountain still have stable traces of the Leopard cat. There are occasional Leopard cats traces in the Hsinchu area and Chiayi County. But to this day, the location of Zhushan mentioned in the "Taiwan Daily News" report in 1936 is almost the southernmost point of the stable distribution of the only remaining stone tigers. (cite from Wikipedia)

The leopard cat is facing rapid extinction caused by overexploitation in their habitat, traps, car accidents, and other factors. Various signs and data also show that the leopard cat is facing the dilemma of insufficient habitat. Although it is clearly shown in the data, if many ongoing development projects do not plan to preserve or restore the habitat for the leopard cat, the leopard cat will inevitably face the threat of insufficient living environment and reduce the number. At that time, it will be on the verge of being the same as the Taiwan sika deer in 1969, and it will take a lot of resources to return to the conditions of natural regeneration. (Reference from leopardcat)