Uncover the secrets of Borneo’s elusive wild cats.
Did you know that Borneo is home to an eighth of the world’s wild cat species?
Despite this, the island’s wild cats have long been something of a conservation afterthought, and all five species are believed to be in decline due to habitat loss and poaching.
To protect Borneo’s wild cats, we first need to understand where they live, what they do and how many there are. Without reliable population estimates, we can’t accurately gauge changes over time, hindering our ability to identify and mitigate threats to the species’ survival.
However, this kind of information-gathering is no easy task. Wild cats are notoriously shy and go out of their way to avoid contact with humans, making them particularly difficult to study amidst the dense jungles of Borneo. To overcome this, we use camera traps to passively collect data across a wide range of landscapes, from the rocky Heart of Borneo to the island’s vast tropical peat-swamps.
Using camera trap footage and photos of the five cat species across multiple landscapes, we will provide a comprehensive assessment of their populations and distribution. By evaluating the ways these animals are adapting to human disturbance, we can develop targeted species action plans, directly combatting the threats faced by these rare and charismatic felines.
years of studying Borneo’s wild cats
photos and videos collected
Sunda clouded leopards caught on camera in the Sebangau National Park
We collaborate to protect Borneo’s rainforest, one of the most important on Earth, with science, community-led action and education; for a world where people and nature thrive.