Indonesian Leopard Cat 'Kucing Kuwuk' Protected, Illegal to Capture

Rare sightings of the Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), known locally as 'Kucing Kuwuk', have been reported by wildlife researchers in Indonesia's tropical rainforests. Burhanuddin Ihsan Alfani (26), an alumnus of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) Forestry Faculty, described encountering this protected species as a special experience, despite his four years of nocturnal wildlife observation. Initially focusing on reptiles, amphibians, insects, and nocturnal birds, Alfani and his colleagues spotted a pair of glowing eyes on a road one night. Mistaken for a bird due to its size and the pale yellowish reflection, the animal was later identified as a wild cat upon closer inspection. A camera was deployed, but the flash startled the animal, causing it to flee into the undergrowth. The researchers waited, and the Leopard Cat reappeared briefly before disappearing again. According to Alfani, the appearance of the Kucing Kuwuk is unpredictable. The challenges of darkness and the animal's swift movements often mean it vanishes before cameras can be properly aimed. Sightings can occur at various times, from around 8 PM to after 10 PM. The Kucing Kuwuk, sometimes referred to as a 'forest cat' due to its distinctive spotted coat and wild nature, is fundamentally different from domestic cats. In Indonesia, this species, along with many other wild animals, is protected, and its capture or trade is strictly prohibited by law. Source: Mongabay Indonesia