Jungle cats show up very rarely in the camera trap survey efforts invarious forest types. This could either be partly because the survey efforts were mainly in the intact forest habitats which are not ideal for jungle cats, or more likely, because of the genuine rarity of the species.
Jungle Cat
တောကြောင်
Felis chausOrder
Carnivora
FamilyFelidae
ClassMammal
Extinction risk
NE
DD
Global IUCN statusLC
NT
VU
EN
CR
EW
EX
Measurement
Head to body lengthBody Length (cm): 59-76 Shoulder length (cm): 36
Body weight (kg)Body weight: 2-16 kg
Justification
The assessment classification for this species is primarily based on the fact it is very rarely recorded in camera trap surveys across Myanmar in different forest types. Although the accurate population counts are not possible, the low photo capture rates would generally mean that the actual population itself is now very low. The assessment team estimated that the jungle cat population across Myanmar is less than 2500, and each sub population does not exceed more than 50 individuals. Jungle cat is found in very few sites in Myanmar, hence AOO is very low, while its populations are severely fragmented as the sites where jungle cat is found are either separated by urbanization (e.g. Hlawga Park and Rakhine Yoma separated by one of Myanmar’s most densely populated areas) or by natural barriers (e.g. the Ayeyawaddy River between Shwesettaw and Popa), or are simply too far from each other.
POPULATION & HABITAT
Wild population
Trend
unknown
Myanmar population
Unknown
Global population
Unknown
Details
Habitat ecology
In Southeast Asia, jungle cats are strongly associated with open deciduous habitats (Duckworth et al. 2005, Gray et al. 2014). In Myanmar, jungle cats were recorded mainly in Indaing forest, Than-dahat forest, deciduous forest, degraded forest and nearby human settlement. They often have close contact with human settlement and attack human domestic animals such as chicken and duck.
Distribution
Threats to survival
Threats to survival
The biggest threat to the jungle cat is presumed to be poaching. Lack of protection under Myanmar’s current laws for the species poses a threat to combat poaching of the jungle cat.
Instruction: The visualization shows threats that are impacting each species. According to IUCN, direct threats are the proximate human activities or processes that have impacted, are impacting, or may impact the the status of the taxon being assessed. Click of the highlighted icons to see details each threat category.
Use and trade
The species is traded as shown by records of jungle cat parts in trade mentioned in Zaw et al. (2014). Its skin is probably most traded although other parts, as with other small and medium cats, could also be traded. The species can also be hunted for meat.
Conservation Actions
Research
Research undertaken
Camera trapping, community engagement, law enforcement with SMART patrolling in PAs were conducted. F. chaus is listed as completely protected species according to the Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Area Law (2018).
Research needed
Urgent evaluation of its status is needed, especially as it appears very rarely in the camera trap surveys and therefore could be very close to extirpation from Myanmar.
Assessed by
Than Zaw,Hla Naing,Myint Thein,Myo Min Tun,Su Su,Margaret Nyein Nyein Myint,Thida Oo,Nay Myo Shwe,Paing Soe,Min Hein Htike,Theint Thanda Bo,Okkar MyoReviewed by
Monica Böhmreferences
references
Resources
National Redlist of Threatened Species in Myanmar
The Myanmar National Red List of threatened species contributes to the GEF funded “Strengthening Sustainability of Protected Area Management in Myanmar” project. To support the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (2015-2020), Target 12 for commitment to prevent the extinction of known threatened species and improve their conservation status, the National Red List of some selected taxa has been produced. This report summarizes the assessment process and its results with detailed descriptions for some selected threatened species in Myanmar.
