Felines are a group of mammals that belong to the Carnivora order and have coexisted with humans for ages.
Their relationship with a man once they were domesticated has also been a topic of discussion.
However, several cat breeds are no longer widely available, and these breeds are considered endangered.
Flat-headed cats, Iberian lynx, Scottish wildcat, fisher cat, black-footed cats, bay cats, Andean Mountain Cat, and Korat cats are among the cat breeds on the verge of extinction.
Some of the listed threatened breeds are no longer as common as they once were, raising fears of extinction for those cat breeds that have been endangered for a long time.
An endangered species has dwindled in numbers to the point of extinction. A species is also termed endangered or threatened if it is subjected to habitat destruction for recreational or entertainment purposes, disease or predation, or threats to its continued existence.
Also, after several years of no sightings, a species is proclaimed extinct. Because it takes so long to declare an entire species extinct, many species not known to us have been wiped out.
Increased awareness of animal mistreatment has piqued interest in these cats, particularly as fears about the planet’s future growth. Many people are curious about cat breeds that have vanished or are endangered, whether natural causes or human intervention.
We’ll go over the cat breeds that are on the verge of extinction, the reasons for their extinction, the consequences of their extinction on our lives, and possible solutions to the endangered species’ extinction.
Endangered Cat Breeds on the Verge of Extinction
1. The fishing cat is a South and Southeast Asian medium-sized wild cat. It has been designated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2016. Wetland destruction threatens fishing cat populations, which have decreased dramatically over the last decade.
They have excellent swimming abilities and rely on wetlands for sustenance. Because these cats are wild cats with sharp teeth and claws, and they are more than capable of protecting themselves from threats, they do not make ideal pets.
2. The lynx of Iberia Cats are the world’s most endangered felines and Europe’s most endangered carnivore. Even though hunting them is now prohibited and habitat protected, lynxes are regularly killed by automobiles, wild dogs, and human poaching.
Because of habitat loss over the Iberian Peninsula, lynx populations have become isolated, limiting their dispersal capacity. Small populations are more vulnerable to extinction due to their inability to disperse, which increases the danger of inbreeding and reduces genetic variation.
3. The Flat-headed Cat: With its long, slim and asymmetrical head shape, the Flat-headed Cat is one of the unique members of the cat family. They have an extended torso, short legs with tiny, rounded paws, and a short tail, about the size of a domestic cat.
Flat-headed cats have become extinct in their native range of inland peat swamps and mangrove forests along an axis in Asia due to the destruction of the wetlands on which they rely.
4. In Scotland, the Scottish Wildcat is a European wildcat population. True wildcats are extremely difficult to identify and protect due to hybridization.
You may see various breeds that resemble the Scottish Wildcat. Still, I can assure you that authentic Scottish Wildcat populations are exceedingly low, with estimates ranging from 35 to less than 35 in the wild.
Some studies have confirmed that the surviving number in the isolated Nothern Scotland axes is less than 30 dozen to show how endangered the breed is.
5. The Black-Footed Cat, also known as the small-spotted cat, is Africa’s smallest wild cat, measuring 35–52 cm in length from head to tail. Because they are named wildcats for a reason, these wild cats found in African countries do not make suitable pets.
They are aggressive and spend most of their time in their territories. They are most often seen hunting at night and feeding on birds and small mammals. It is uncommon compared to the other tiny cat species found in southern Africa, and it occurs in low numbers.
6. The Bay Cat: also known as the Borneo Bay cat and Bornean Bay cat, is a small untamed cat common to Borneo Island. The cat breed appears to be relatively rare compared to sympatric wild cats.
The Bay cat is currently on the IUCN endangered species Red List. Urbanization and habitat loss worsened its terrible population decline, primarily due to the growth of palm oil plantations and logging. Studies have revealed that the number of Bay cats in the wild is less than 3,000.
7. The Andean Mountain Cat (Leopardus Jacobite) is a small wild cat native to the high Andes that has been classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are supposed to be solitary, and while they have no natural fear of humans, they, like all other wild cat species, do not make ideal pets.
8. The Korat is one of the world’s oldest and most stable breeds. The Korat is a rare or minority breed owing to its small gene pool. It is revered as a “good luck cat” in Thailand.
The Korat is a very clever cat who is also a kind family member. Korats are more relaxed than other cats. They’ll make time to play and be active, but they’re just as content to snuggle in their owner’s lap.
Reasons for Endangered Cat Breed Extinction
1. The demand for the skins and organs of the endangered cat breeds heightened the hunt for the animals. A Siberian cat skin, for example, is traded on the black market.
2. Poaching and habitat destruction are contributing to the extinction of endangered cats.
3. Some cat breeds are viewed as a menace to settlers due to their dangerous nature. As a result, some humans hunt them down rather than tame them for domestication.
4. Human development, pollution, and climate change threaten these endangered cat breeds’ native habitats.
5. The presence of larger predators and the introduction of invasive species have harmed the existence and survival of cat breeds.
What Happens If Certain Cat Breeds Become Extinct?
The debate over the extinction of several cat breeds is polarized. Some regard it as a relief because most cat families are seen as risks to global biodiversity, mainly because cats have been blamed for killing dozens of bird and reptile species.
On the other hand, many concerned individuals feel that cats play an essential part in ecological function. The extinction of these endangered cat breeds will cause a shift in the ecosystem, with adverse effects on biodiversity.
How Can We Prevent the Extinction of Endangered Cats?
1. Establish a legal framework for hunting and managing endangered feline breeds.
2. Educate yourself about endangered cat breeds in your area, raise awareness about them, and, if possible, join awareness groups and networks.
Take care of such felines and be responsible. The use of social media for advocacy on how to attract these endangered cat breeds can be beneficial.
3. Humanely capture and domesticate endangered cat breeds to ensure their survival.
4. The few remaining endangered cat breeds can still be seen in the wild. As a result, we must safeguard the areas where wild cat breeds thrive.
5. Create a cat-friendly environment and protect the places where cats live. Avoid using chemicals, pesticides, and other harmful items to the endangered cat breeds’ health.
6. Discard any merchandise derived from the fur of these endangered cat breeds. Because some souvenirs and gift items are created from the skins of these cats, ignore and refuse to purchase them to express your disgust.
7. Contribute to causes that aid in the protection of extinction-threatened felines.
8. Stop the inhumane treatment of endangered cat breeds and animals, as it is prohibited and hastens their extinction.
9. If you have any of the threatened cat breeds in your area, keep an eye on their travels to prevent extinction.