Borneo Bay Cat Captured on Camera Trap in Kayan Mentarang National Park

A rare and critically endangered Borneo bay cat (Catopuma badia) has been captured on camera traps within the Kayan Mentarang National Park (TNKM) in North Kalimantan, Indonesia. This elusive feline is considered one of the most mysterious carnivores on the island, with much of its life history remaining unknown. The recent footage, obtained from a camera deployed in the Mentarang Tubu Resort area, Rian Tubu Village, shows the bay cat walking while carrying prey, believed to be a striped squirrel (Tupaia dorsalis). The camera was part of a forest protection patrol conducted in 2025, with the data downloaded in 2026. This sighting follows another significant capture of the same species three years prior at the Sungai Bahau Resort, marking a return of documentation after more than two decades without new records in that specific area. The Borneo bay cat is notoriously difficult to observe due to its solitary nature, low population density, and tendency to avoid humans. Camera traps have thus become an indispensable tool for researchers and park authorities to gather data on its presence and behavior. The recent images provide rare clues about its hunting habits, though the sex and age of the individual remain undetermined. Scientists estimate its generation length to be around six years, but information on gestation periods and lifespan in the wild is scarce. "This species is very difficult to encounter directly, so documentation through camera traps helps us obtain data regarding its existence within the area," stated Seno Pramudito, Head of the TNKM National Park office. Typically, the bay cat has reddish-brown fur, though some individuals exhibit a grey coloration. Its slender build, rounded ears, and long tail suggest it relies on speed to hunt its prey, which is known to include rodents and squirrels. This discovery underscores the critical importance of conservation efforts for the Borneo bay cat and highlights the ongoing need to protect the rich biodiversity of Kalimantan. The ongoing monitoring through camera traps promises to shed more light on this enigmatic creature's life in the wild.