NARATHIWAT, THAILAND – An extremely rare wild cat was confirmed in a remote peat swamp reserve in the south of the country for the first time in almost 30 years.
Elusive cat returns to peat swamp stronghold
The rediscovery took place in the Chalerm Phrakiat Somdet Phra Thep Rattanarajsuda Siam Boromrajakumari Wildlife Sanctuary in Narathiwat province, a protected peat swamp forest also known as the To Daeng swamp forest. The area was regarded as one of the last larger peatlands in Thailand and of high ecological importance.
The confirmed return of the flat-headed cat marked the first verified record of the species in the country in nearly three decades. Previously, its presence in the kingdom had only been documented historically and had not been confirmed for a long time.
Camera traps show record sightings and a kitten
According to the responsible authorities, camera traps registered 13 detections of the rare species in 2024 and another 16 in 2025. This represented the highest reporting frequency recorded so far within its known range.
On some images, an adult cat appeared together with a young animal. For researchers, this was clear evidence that the species was reproducing in the sanctuary and that a viable breeding population could persist there.
From “possibly extinct” to confirmed return
The flat-headed cat was listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with its global population estimated at around 2,500 individuals. Within Thailand, it had even been classified as “possibly extinct”.
Attapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, interpreted the findings as a success of long-term protection efforts.
“After decades of habitat protection and intensive surveys, the confirmation of the return of the flat-headed cat in the south of the country shows the dedication of the rangers in protecting one of the last remaining peat swamp forests.”
said Attapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks.
Conservationists hail proof that protection works
Kritsana Kaewplang, director of Panthera Thailand, underlined the importance of the results for wider species conservation.
“After almost 30 years without confirmed sightings, this discovery proves that threatened species can recover when their habitats are effectively protected.”
said Kritsana Kaewplang, director of Panthera Thailand.
The species was among the smallest wild cats in Asia. It was characterized by an elongated, flattened skull and partial webbing on its paws, adaptations for hunting aquatic prey.
Ongoing threats in fragile wetland habitat
The mainly nocturnal cat inhabited wetlands and peat swamps. Among the greatest threats to the species were habitat loss due to agricultural use, hunting and water pollution in sensitive peat and wetland areas.
These pressures continued to endanger the peat swamp ecosystem on which the species depended. Conservation officials viewed the recent confirmations as a warning that protection must be strengthened despite the positive news.
Authorities plan stronger protection measures
Authorities stated that the latest records would form the basis for further reinforcing protection management. Planned measures included increased ranger patrols and an expanded use of SMART patrol systems for data collection and route planning.
They also announced the development of community-based information networks to detect threats at an early stage. According to those responsible, the sanctuary was to be secured more effectively against poaching, habitat destruction and other risks to safeguard the newly confirmed flat-headed cat population in the long term.