A "rare flat-headed cat" rediscovered in Thailand after nearly 30 years

Thailand’s rare flat-headed cat has been rediscovered after nearly 30 years. (Image: DNP/Panthera Thailand)

• Flat-headed cat found in Thailand after 30 years in wildlife sanctuary.
• Camera traps captured images of several cats, including a female with a cub.
• Rediscovery highlights need to protect wetlands and aids conservation efforts.

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A wild cat thought missing for decades has been spotted again. The rediscovery brings hope to conservationists and scientists alike. For nearly 30 years, Thailand had not recorded this elusive feline. Now camera traps have captured its image, confirming it still survives.

What Has Been Rediscovered?

The species is the flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps). It is one of the world’s rarest wild cats, rarely seen in the wild. Its distinctive flat head and aquatic hunting habits set it apart. The species had not been recorded in Thailand since the 1990s. The rediscovery proves it persists, despite decades of human doubt.

Where was the Flat-Headed Cat Rediscovered? 

The rediscovery took place in Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary, southern Thailand. Camera traps captured several individuals, including a female with a cub. This indicates the species is not only present but actively reproducing.

The work was conducted by Thailand’s wildlife authorities in collaboration with Panthera, the global wild cat conservation group. Researchers emphasize the find is a rare window into this secretive species’ life.

What Makes the Flat-Headed Cat Unique? 

The flat-headed cat is small, water-loving, and highly secretive. It hunts fish and aquatic prey in wetlands, peat swamps and mangroves. Historically, it was found across southern Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Habitat destruction, wetland drainage and human encroachment caused it to disappear locally. Its secretive nature and aquatic habits made it almost invisible to researchers. This rediscovery proves the species can survive in fragmented, threatened habitats. It reminds scientists how resilient life can be in extreme conditions.

Why this Rediscovery Matter?

The rediscovery of flat headed cat confirms the species is still surviving and breeding in the wild. It highlights the critical importance of protecting wetlands and other natural habitats. The finding also provides new data for population estimates and conservation planning. For a species listed as endangered by the IUCN, every individual counts.

How Could Scientists do to Save Species?

This rediscovery offers hope for Southeast Asia’s endangered wildlife. It proves that even species thought extinct may still thrive in secret. Scientists now have a chance to study its ecology, reproduction and survival strategies.

The findings underscore the urgency of preserving wetlands and mangroves across the region. The flat-headed cat is more than a rediscovery. It shows that nature’s hidden wonders are still waiting to be found.