Rare Fishing Cat Spotted in Thailand After 30 Years, What About Indonesia?

The rediscovery of the rare fishing cat (Prionailurus planiceps) in southern Thailand after a 30-year absence is raising concerns about the species' presence and conservation in Indonesia. Camera traps set up in the Putri Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary in southern Thailand captured multiple sightings of a mother and cub fishing cat between 2024 and 2025. The species was last recorded in Thailand in 1995, and this rediscovery is the result of a joint survey by the Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the conservation organization Panthera. "This rediscovery shows what can be achieved when science and strong protection efforts are combined," said Kritsana Kaewplang, Director of Panthera Thailand. The fishing cat is a small wild cat characterized by its flattened, elongated head, large eyes, and narrow eye spacing, with adult weights typically ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms. True to its name, the species is semi-aquatic, possessing webbed feet and flattened, pointed teeth adapted for catching fish and frogs. Its habitat is confined to areas around rivers, peat swamp forests, and mangroves. The global population is estimated to be no more than 2,500 mature individuals. The IUCN classifies it as Vulnerable, and it is listed in CITES Appendix I. The fishing cat's distribution includes the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and southern Thailand. Indonesia's Borneo (Kalimantan) and Sumatra are considered the species' most significant strongholds globally. However, detailed research on the presence of fishing cats in Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan, remains scarce. The rediscovery in Thailand underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts and further research into the species' status within Indonesia. The habitats crucial for fishing cats, such as peat swamp forests and mangrove areas, are particularly vulnerable to development and deforestation, making their protection a pressing issue.