Bay cats baffling felid experts.

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The enigma of the Bornean bay cat means we know
virtually nothing about them.


Most of us love a cat. We just can’t resist their contented purrs, sneakily agile antics and the warmth they share when curled up on a comfy lap. But, one cat is such a mystery to us that TS Eliot's famous mystery cat, Macavity, pales into insignificance.

Bay cat description

Deep in the Bornean rainforests and swamps, a chestnut streak may be the only glimpse of the mysterious Bornean bay cat that those seeking it may ever see.

Not much bigger than their average house cat cousins, the beautiful bay cat has a relatively long body and tail and short, rounded ears. Their tails have a distinct white stripe that taper to a white tip.

Although the chestnut-red form is most common, some bay cats have a grey-black coloration. Their underparts are paler: ranging from a gold-tan on their bellies, that fades to white at the chin. Some have been known to have pale, black spots and flecks around their bellies, back and limbs.

Their heads have very intricate markings with a dark brown M on the back of their heads and light patches at the sides of their mouths and inner eyelids. On their cheeks are two faint brown stripes.
The beautiful facial markings of the bay cat.
Uniquely, unlike other cats, the hair on their nape, grows forwards, rather than backwards.

Bay cat biology

So little is known of the biology of this endemic little cat. None have ever been documented well in their natural habitat, despite camera traps being set up numerous times. There is no definitive evidence of its diet but local reports state they have attacked poultry. 

In 1992, the genetic analysis of a female that died in captivity stated that the Bay Cat is a unique species. However, experts are still unsure whether the bay cat is sympatric (share the same habitat) with the Asian golden cat, means there is a small possibility they could share genes from cross-breeding.  

The Asian golden cat: could they share genes with bay cats?
But, if these cats are indeed unique, they are evolutionary distinct and could be carrying millions of years of evolutionary history.

It is, therefore, vitally important we protect them to conserve the diversity of life.

Only two videos of this elusive cat exist. The most recent footage, filmed by Andrew Hearn, has been featured in the BBC's series Big Cats. Neither are particularly clear or likely to win awards for the footage of the mysterious cat that experts wish they knew more about.

Habitat and ecology

Bay cats tend to inhabit areas within the highlands around limestone rocks, edging dense jungle. Recently, they have been seen around swamps and riverbeds: perhaps because of habitat loss from the spread of palm oil plantations.  
The Danum Valley where sightings of bay cats have been reported.

Bay Cat threats

Rampant deforestation is the biggest known threat to bay cats. With the likelihood of an increase in logging, and palm oil plantations for biofuels, they are likely to lose more habitat in the future. The current rate of decline is estimated at a loss of 50% by 2020.

The IUCN have listed the evasive bay cat as Endangered since 2008. It has now been recommended for Appendix I of CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species) to stop all commercial trade of them.

Due to their tendency to spend time on the ground, bay cats are known to fall victim to the snares of poachers. Their rarity makes them all the more tempting for poachers who use their skin and sell them to pet markets.

But, with so little known of this remarkable cat, it is hard to say exactly what impact they face from these threats or how hard their battle for survival will become.

Bay Cat conservation

Many recommendations have been made for the protection of bay cats, including: reducing habitat destruction; surveys to increase the range and knowledge of their habitats; setting up captive breeding programmes and improving captive areas used to hold the cat. With little success of their captivity, the latter is especially paramount.

Without definitive programmes being put in place, the future of this enigmatic cat will remain as big a mystery as its untold past.  
A captive bay cat, but what does its future hold?

Help a bay cat

There is some good news for bay cats! Several organisations out there are engaged in the preservation of these cats, including research, education and rescue. To support the bay cat conservation efforts currently in place, donate to one of the following organisations:

Big Cats Wild Cats: http://bigcatswildcats.com/bornean-bay-cat/
Cat Action Treasury: http://www.felidae.org/
IUCN Cat Specialist Group: http://www.catsg.org/
Big Cat Rescue: https://bigcatrescue.org/donate/

 

 

 

 

 

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