WILD CATS

OF
NEPAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Asiatic wildcat (Felis lybica ornata) 2

2. Marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) 6

3. Jungle cat (Felis chaus) 10

4. Mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) 14

5. Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) 19

6. Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) 22

7. Rusty spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus) 27

8. Mainland leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) 30

9. Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx isabellinus) 33

10. Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) 36

11. Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) 39

12. Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) 43

13. Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) 48

 1. Asiatic wildcat
Felis lybica ornata

IUCN Red List: NA

Description:

Weight: 2-7.7 kg

Body length: 40.6-64 cm

Tail length: 21.5-37.5 cm

Longevity: up to 11 years

Litter size: 2-4 cubs, rarely up to 8

Morphology:

The Afro-Asiatic wildcat is smaller than the European wildcat and its fur is more yellow or reddish. The
cat has characteristic small black or reddish-brown spots and sometimes stripes.

History:

The cat was spotted from Chitwan National Park in 2022 from the camera traps while studying tiger
population.

Status:

The Afro-Asiatic wildcat is considered as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The
status of Felis lybica ornata (Asiatic wildcat) is not very clear and recent population estimates are
missing. Due to its cryptic behaviour and its hybridization with domestic cats, it is difficult to assess its
status.
Distribution:

The Asiatic wildcat (Felis lybica ornata) is considered as a subspecies of Felis lybica and inhabits South-
West and Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Mongolia and China.

National Distribution:

The cat has been spotted recently from camera traps in Chitwan Parsa complex and needs further study
to map its distribution.

Habitat:

The wildcat occurs in a wide variety of habitats from scrub deserts, up to 2,000–3,000 m elevation,
mountainous areas with sufficient vegetation, as well as temperate forests.

Behaviour:

The wildcat is mostly nocturnal but can also be observed during daytime. It hunts on the ground and yet
is a very good climber.

The wildcat rests and dens in burrows. It is a solitary and territorial species.
The gestation lasts for 56-68 days and age at sexual maturity can be at 9 - 12 months but first breeding
probably takes place at 18 - 22 months.

Food Behaviour:

The main prey species of the Asiatic wildcat, as for all wildcat subspecies, are rodents such as jerboas,
gerbils, voles and mice.

The wildcat also sometimes scavenges food, or preys upon poultry and small livestock.

Conservation:

As all wildcat subspecies, also the Asiatic wildcat is threatened by domestic cats. Hybridisation with
domestic cats can lead to the loss of genetic information and is to be one of the main threats.

The wildcat is included in Appendix II of CITES and is fully protected across most of its range in Asia.

It is important to identify genetically pure populations and to prevent hybridisation with domestic cats.
 2. Marbled cat (Chhirbire Biralo)

Pardofelis marmorata

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Description:

Weight: 2-5 kg

Body length: 45-62 cm

Tail length: 36-55 cm

Longevity: to 12 years

Litter size: 1-2 cubs

Morphology:

This species bear a distinctive, irregular blotched pattern on their coats. The background colour is
brownish-grey to reddish-brown. The flanks and back are patterned with large irregularly shaped brown
to reddish blotches lined in black.Two black stripes stretch from the inner corner of the eye back over
the crown and down the neck.

The marbled cat is about the same weight as a large domestic cat but is more slender and elongated. It
has a more rounded head than most other felids with a broad face and also rounded ears that have
white bars on the back. Its pupils are large and brown. The tail is extremely long. While walking, the
marbled cat holds its tail stretched out horizontally and does not drag tail on the ground. The foot is
relatively short and the long tail imply the arboreal adaptations of this small cat.

History:

It was first photographed in the wild at the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand, 1994.

Status:

It is classified as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List. However, status and distribution of the marbled
cat are poorly studied and population trends are unknown.

The marbled cat is included into CITES Appendix I.

Distribution:
National Distribution:

The distribution range of this species is not well known. It has previously been recorded in central, mid
and mid-western region of Nepal from the Terai in the south up to 2,500 m in the mid-hills and in
Annapurna Conservation Area, Rara, Chitwan and Bardia National Parks, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
and surrounding areas, may also occur within Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve and Langtang National
Park.

Habitat:

It is forest dependent and appears to be mainly associated with moist and mixed deciduous-evergreen
tropical forests. The cat seems to have a preference for remote moist forests and primary forests. It is
highly associated with areas of increased tree/canopy cover including agroforestry land, forest
plantations and selectively logged forest.

In Nepal it was recorded up to 2,750 m.

Behaviour:

The marbled cat is thought to be a forest-dependent species and is known as a very good climber, able
to climb down a tree headfirst. The marbled cat was thought to spend most of its time in the trees,. It
was originally thought to be primarily crepuscular and nocturnal.

Food behaviour:

There have been no diet studies conducted for marbled cats. They are thought to feed on birds, tree
squirrels, fruit bats, rodents (such as rats and mice), and presumably also on insects, fish, reptiles (e.g.
lizards) and amphibians (e.g. frogs). There have also been several documented instances of marbled cats
preying on primate species.

Conservation:

The main threat to the marbled cat is deforestation.

The species has also been photographed in agricultural landscapes. The marbled cat is not frequently
recorded in the wildlife trade but its fur, meat and bones have high value and it is hunted in some areas.
 3. Jungle cat (Ban Biralo)

Felis chaus

IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Description:

Weight: 5-9 kg

Body length: 58-76 cm

Tail length: 21-27 cm

Longevity: 9-10
years

Litter size: 3-4 cubs

Morphology:

The jungle cat wears a sandy brown, reddish or grey coloured coat without any patterns beside the
conspicuous stripes on the top of the legs and occasionally on the throat. Its coat in winter is darker and
denser than in summer. It has a light coloured throat and belly. The tail is one third of the cat's total
head and body length and has usually dark stripes near the end. It is brownish grey on the upper and
yellowish brown on the lower side. It has a long, slim face with especially tall ears relatively close
together, reddish on the backs and tipped with small black tufts that measure up to 15 mm in length. A
broad dark line runs along the posterior part of the back. Male jungle cats are larger than female ones.

Age at first reproduction is approximately 15 months, producing a litter of one to six young after a
gestation period of 63 to 68 days. It can live up to 14 years.

Status:

The jungle cat is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

The jungle cat is included in the CITES Appendix II and protected over part of its range.

Distribution:

National Distribution
The Jungle cat is widely distributed across Nepal up to 4,000 m and occurs within all of the protected
areas.

National Population Size Total:

This is considered as the most common wild cat in Nepal, with an estimated population greater than
10,000 individuals.

Habitat:

In Nepal, they were found on the campus of Pulchowk Engineering College in Lalitpur.

The jungle cat is not strongly associated with closed forest but with scrub, grassland, wetlands and
dense vegetation. It inhabits a wide variety of habitats. It prefers moist habitats with dense vegetation
cover besides tall grass or reeds to hide in, especially reed swamps, wet marshes and river bank
environments. That’s why it got its common and more applicable name: swamp cat.

Behaviour:

The jungle cat is solitary. It remains active during day and night and is a good climber. It rests in borrows
of badgers, porcupines or foxes. It makes its den under bushes, in caves, in the thicket or in reeds. It
stalks its prey on the ground and attacks from behind. To catch birds, it can also jump high into the air..
Sexual dimorphism is prevalent in this cat species. The cat communicates via scent markings but little is
known about its social organization, family groups of a male with a female and cubs have been seen in
the wild. The jungle cat is a good swimmer and dives to catch fish or to escape danger such as a dog.
They are sometimes killed by larger predators such as leopards and big snakes.

Food Behaviour:

The jungle cat’s prey varies and consists commonly of rodents, such as rats and mice, all of which weigh
less than 1 kg. It also preys on birds and its eggs and also feed on squirrels, frogs, lizards, small snakes,
amphibians, insects.
Conservation:

The skin of a single jungle cat was among seized wildlife parts in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

It adapts more readily than most other small felids to cultivated and artificial landscapes,
mainly irrigated agriculture. This behaviour intensifies conflicts with humans. In areas where the jungle
cat preys on poultry, it is hunted by people and poisoned.

Each jungle cat consumes approximately 1,500 rodents annually. This behaviour makes the cat a
member of natural pest management and friend of farmers and house holds. The high habitat that
occurs in riparian and wetland areas is a threat to the cat’s survival.
 4. Mainland clouded leopard (Dhwase Chituwa)

Neofelis nebulosa

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Weight: 16-23 kg

Body length: 69-108 cm

Tail length: 61-91 cm

Longevity: 15-17 years

Litter size: 1-2 cubs

Morphology:

The clouded leopard characteristics feature includes short, stout legs ending in broad paws. The hind
legs are longer than fore limbs and tail is as long as the whole body. The legs are plush and enable it to
skilfully balance on thin tree branches. Its skull is quite long and canine teeth are proportionally longer
than those of any other extant cat. Cloud-like rosettes with dark outlines and lighter centres on a light
background cover the body and are unique and give the clouded leopard its name. The background
colour of the coat can be yellowish brown, tawny to silvery grey to earthy brown or dark grey. The spine
has two long stripes and the tail has 6 crosswise stripes. The underside of the body is white or pale
tawny while limbs and underbelly are marked with large black ovals. The back of its neck is
conspicuously marked with two thick black bars.

Status:

The clouded leopard is considered Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List. In the National Red List of Nepal, it is
considered Endangered.

The clouded leopard is included in CITES Appendix I

Habitat:

The cat is found in the deepest parts of evergreen forests and is most strongly associated with primary
tropical rainforest. It also inhabits other habitat types, such as secondary and logged forests as well as
coniferous forests, grassland and scrub.
Distribution

National Distribution:

This species has been reported to occur in the protected areas of Annapurna Conservation Area,
Chitwan National Park, Kanchanjunga Conservation Area (skin seized four years ago), Langtang National
Park (one casualty recorded in Langtang 10 years ago), Makalu Barun (two pelts were recently recorded
from the buffer zone area of the park), Rara National Park, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and
Ghodaghodi Lake Area and districts of Ilam, Kailali, Kaski. However, Nowell and Jackson (1996) restrict
its distribution to Langtang National Park and along the mid-hills eastwards.

National Population Size Total:

Less than 100 and considered to be in decline

Four were documented between 1987 to 1988, previous record from 1863 and thought to be extinct.
Behaviour:

The clouded leopard is solitary and mostly cathemeral (i.e. can be active at any time of day and night),. It
is a remarkably secretive creature. The clouded leopard is a highly arboreal species which moves easily
through trees. It is an excellent climber and can also climb headfirst down a vertical trunk and hang from
branches by their hind feet. It uses the trees to rest and also forages in them. It also can travel over
quite long distances on the ground.

The age at first reproduction is around 26 months for females and for males, age at the last
reproduction is 12 to 15 years. Estrus lasts for approximately 6 days, the estrus cycle for 30 days and
gestation for 87-99 days.

Food Behaviour:

It feeds on arboreal and terrestrial vertebrates such as small deer, monkeys, squirrel, porcupines,
pangolin, wild boar and birds. They hunt domestic poultry and goats but not in carrion.

Conservation:

The main threats include habitat loss and fragmentation through deforestation and land conversion into
agricultural areas.

Increase in hydropower projects and rural roads is likely to become an issue in Nepal.
The biggest driver of population decline however is mortality due to illegal hunting. The clouded leopard
is threatened through targeted illegal hunting for its decorative fur, and its teeth and bones for the
traditional medicine market.

Its meat is also used for exotic dishes. In Nepal livestock depredation and retaliatory killing are a tertiary
threat.
 5. Asiatic golden cat (Sunaulo Biralo)

Catopuma temminckii

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Description:

Weight: 9-16 kg

Body length: 71-105 cm

Tail length: 40-56 cm

Longevity: up to 17 years

Litter size: 1-3 cubs

Morphology:

The features of this cat are the white lines bordered with dark brown to black running across the
cheeks. The rounded ears are black backs with a grey spot. The chest, abdomen and inner side of the
upper legs are white with light speckling, legs and tail are grey to black at the distal ends. The post half
of the tail is white on the underside and is often carried with the end curled dorsally.

Distribution:

National Population Size

There is no information available on the population size or status of this species in Nepal, an individual
was camera-trapped in Makalu Barun National Park.

Habitat:

It coexists with clouded leopard and the marbled cat. It occurs in different forested habitats such as
tropical and subtropical moist evergreen forests, mixed evergreen forests, and dry deciduous forests.
Behaviour:

Little is known about the ecology and behaviour of the Asiatic golden cat.

Food Behaviour:

It is known to prey on different species and seems to be a generalist and opportunistic forager with a
high niche breadth, prey include amphibians, small reptiles (lizards, snakes), insects, birds, primates,
poultry.

Conservation:

The main threats to the Asiatic golden cat appear to be habitat loss and alteration due to deforestation
across its range.

The cat is also threatened by hunting for its pelt and bones which are used in traditional medicine.
 6. Fishing cat (Malaha Biralo)

Prionailurus viverrinus

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Weight: 7-16 kg

Body length: 65-85 cm

Tail length: 25-30 cm

Longevity: up to 10 years

Litter size: 2-3 cubs

Morphology:

The cat got its Latin name because of its rather viverrine or civet-like appearance and common name
for its preference for fish prey.

Its fur is short, coarse, and grey or olive brown. The head and body are conspicuously marked with
small black spots and stripes. On the face, back and neck the spots merge into short lines. Its belly is
white and there are two dark collars on the throat. The head is relatively big and broad with
small, rounded ears. The backs of the ears are black with white central spots. The thick muscular tail is
very short for a felid and measures only about one third of the total head and body length. The tail is
marked with 5-6 black rings and a black tip. The fishing cat's legs are short, stocky and powerfully built.
The claws have incomplete sheaths so that they are not completely enveloped when retracted. Despite
their fishing activity, the fishing cat does not show marked morphological adaptations for capturing or
eating fish. Their hind feet are webbed but the webbing beneath the toes is not much more developed
than that of a bobcat, and unlike the flat-headed cat, in which the second upper pre-molar is long and
sharp (which enables it to grip slippery prey), the fishing cat has a much smaller and less developed
tooth.

Status:

The fishing cat is classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.

The fishing cat is included in the CITES Appendix II.

Distribution:
National Distribution

The Fishing Cat has a distribution restricted to the Terai region and has been reported from Bardia
National Park, Chitwan National Park, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Parsa Wildlife Reserve mainly in
the flood plains of the Karnali, Babai, Rapti, Narayani, Koshi and Reu Rivers and Ghodaghodi Tal.

National Population Size

Adults: 150-200 (estimated)

This species is not considered common and the population is estimated to be 150 to 200 individuals in
Nepal. The Fishing Cat has bred in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and one kitten was regularly observed
for a number of months in 2009. This is the only area from where the animal is reported.
Habitat:

The fishing cat is strongly associated with wetlands. It lives typically near water and where thick cover
is available. It can be found in habitats such as swamps and marshy areas, mangroves, oxbow lakes,
reed beds, tidal creeks and along watercourses. The fishing cat is not so common around fast-moving
watercourses.

Behaviour:

The fishing cat is largely described as nocturnal or crepuscular.

The fishing cat spends most of its time in dense cover. It is an excellent swimmer and diver over long
distances. The fishing cat hunts alone. It has been observed hunting mostly in shallow water where it
uses the webbed hind feet to push itself along leaving the front feet ready to grab fish. It has been
observed diving into water after fish as well as attempting to scoop them out of water with its paws.
Fishing cats were reported to catch waterfowl by swimming up to them while fully submerged and
seizing their legs from underneath. However, it is suggested that the species prefers hunting in shallow
waters, as the submergence of the body results in the loss of more body heat/energy.

The home range size of female fishing cats in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park was 4-6 km².
Food Behaviour:

The fishing cat preys mainly on fish and other aquatic species

It also feeds on birds, amphibians such as frogs, on small mammals, rodents, reptiles (e.g. snakes),
snails, crustaceans and molluscs.

The fishing cat travels along rivers and changes its hunting site about every fifteen minutes.
Occasionally it also takes carrion.

Conservation:

Major threats are habitat loss and fragmentation as well as illegal killing and persecution.

Habitat loss is also listed as the primary threat to the fishing cat in Nepal, where its habitat is
threatened through water pollution (industrial, agricultural and domestic), water development projects
and degradation of forests.
 7. Rusty-spotted cat

Prionailurus rubiginosus

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Weight: 1-2 kg

Body length: 35-48 cm

Tail length: 20-25 cm

Longevity: up to 18 years

Litter size: 1-3 cubs

Morphology

The rusty-spotted cat is the smallest of all cats. The coat is fawn-grey coloured with a rufous tinge and
is patterned. Its relatively large eyes are marked with a white streak along the inside edge, an
adaptation to its nocturnal behaviour.

Status

The rusty-spotted cat is classified as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List.

The rusty-spotted cat population is included in Appendix II of CITES.

Distribution

Compared to other species, rusty-spotted cats have a relatively restricted distribution and only occur in
India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

National Distribution

It has recently also been reported from Bardia National Park and Shuklaphanta National Park in Nepal,
bordering India.
Habitat

The rusty-spotted cat inhabits moist and dry forests, tropical thorn forests, scrub forests, grasslands
and rocky areas.

It is likely absent from evergreen forests.

Behaviour

Very little is known from ecology and behaviour of this cat apart from it is nocturnal.

The rusty-spotted cat is described as very active and agile and as a good climber and is frequently seen
in trees. The cat observed pouncing down from tree branches when hunting prey.

Food Behaviour

Its main prey is reported to be small mammals, such as rodents, and birds.

Conservation

The main threats of the rusty-spotted cat are habitat loss and deforestation besides being persecuted
for hunting poultr
 8. Mainland leopard cat (Chari bagh)

Prionailurus bengalensis

IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Weight: 1.6-8 kg

Body length: 45-65 cm

Tail length: 20-30 cm

Longevity: up to 13 years

Litter size: 1-4 cubs, usually 2-3

Morphology

From numerous previously described subspecies on the mainland, there are only two based on genetic
studies:

 Prionailurus bengalensis bengalensis in South Asia including Nepal

  Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus in Manchuria, Russian Far East, Taiwan, Iriomote Island and
Tsushima Island.

The leopard cat looks like a miniature, long-legged and more slender version of a leopard.

Its fur varies highly in colour and markings according to the region. In the tropics, its fur is ochre or
yellowish-brown with white underparts. In the northern part of the species’ range, they have greyish
brown thick fur and are also larger and heavier than the ones in the south.

Status

The leopard cat is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. In Nepal, it is listed as Vulnerable.

It has been listed in CITES Appendix II.

Distribution

Mainland leopard cats’ range extends from northern Afghanistan and Pakistan along the Himalayan
foothills through northern India, Nepal and Bhutan, through large parts of eastern China and northwards
to the Korean peninsula and into the Russian Far East.

National Distribution
This species is reported to occur within the protected areas of Annapurna Conservation Area, Bardia
National Park, Chitwan National Park, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area,
Khaptad National Park, Langtang National Park, Manaslu Conservation Area, Parsa Wildlife Reserve,
Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve and districts in the midhill region namely Bajhang, Doti, Ilam,
Kanchanpur, Panchthar and Ramechhap.

National Population Size

Total: < 2, 500 (estimated) and Decreasing

This species is not considered common and it is estimated that the current population is in decline. A
recent camera trapping study in Saldim valley (Makalu-Barun National Park) resulted in the identification
of at least six individuals.

Habitat

The leopard cat occurs in a variety of habitats from tropical rainforests to temperate broadleaf and dry
coniferous forests. It can also be found in shrub forests and successional grasslands as well as in hilly and
mountainous regions, in lowland riparian habitats and agricultural wetlands.

The leopard cat occurs over a wide elevation range, from sea level to >4,000 m elevation, the latter
being in the Himalayas. In the Makalu-Barun National Park in eastern Nepal, a leopard cat was pictured
at 3,254 m elevation and in Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, Nepal, a leopard cat was detected with
camera traps at 4,474 m elevation. The highest record so far comes from Langdu, China, at 4,579 m
elevation.

Behaviour

It is an adept climber and has been spotted resting in trees. The leopard cat is also a good swimmer and
has successfully colonized offshore islands throughout its range. It hunts on the ground and in trees and
it has been kept by humans as a rodent control agent in some areas.

Food Behaviour

The leopard cat’s main prey are rodents such as rats and mice. Its diet also includes young ungulates,
hares, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, eels and fish.

Conservation

The leopard cat seems to be more tolerant to deforestation and habitat alteration than other Asian
felids, with the exception of the jungle cat. The leopard cat uses also degraded forest and modified
habitats such as oil palm plantations.

Currently, the commercial trade of leopard cat is highly reduced but it is still hunted throughout most of
its range for its fur and meat or for the pet trade. The leopard cat is considered a poultry pest in many
areas and killed in retribution.

Leopard cats can hybridize with domestic cats and such hybrids are sold on the pet market under the
name “Bengal Cat” or “Safari cat”.
 9. Eurasian lynx (Pahan Biralo, Phyaku Biralo)

Lynx lynx isabellinus

IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Weight: 17-25 kg

Body length: 90-120 cm

Tail length: 19-23 cm

Longevity: 17-24 years

Litter size: 1-4 cubs

Morphology

Among six different subspecies, Turkestan lynx Lynx lynx isabellinus inhabits Central Asia including
Nepal. It has a faint and almost unmarked coat.

The Eurasian lynx is the tallest of the lynx family.

Its ears have a black back with a white spot with long black hair tufts.

Status

In the IUCN Red List it is considered as Least Concern and has been listed in CITES Appendix II.
Distribution

The Eurasian lynx has one of the largest ranges of any cat species. It occurs from the Atlantic in western
Europe through the boreal forests of Russia down to central Asia and the Tibetan plateau to the Pacific
coast in the East. Its 75% range lies in Russia.

National Distribution

This species has a potential distribution across the whole Trans-Himalaya including the protected areas
of the Annapurna Conservation Area – Upper Mustang (the eastern limit) Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve,
Rara National Park and Shey Phoksundo National Park.

National Population Size

Not confirmed and believed to be Decreasing

Habitat

The species probably can be found throughout the northern slopes of the Himalayas, and has been
reported both from thick scrub woodland and barren, rocky areas above the tree line. The lynx has been
recorded up to an elevation of 5,500 m.

Behaviour

The Eurasian lynx is a solitary and territorial animal and is active at dawn and dusk. Home ranges can
vary highly between 100-1000 km² for males.

It is an efficient hunter and can kill prey up to 3-4 times its own size. It hunts by stalking and ambushing
its prey. It has an excellent sense of hearing and very good eyesight.

Food Behaviour

It mostly feeds upon small to medium-sized ungulates like musk deer.

Conservation

In Western Europe the lynx lost its original habitat through deforestation and were widely persecuted in
the 19th century. They have been reintroduced in some of its older home range, however, reduced
genetic diversity and small population sizes are of concern as this could lead to inbreeding depression.
 10. Pallas's cat

Otocolobus manul

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Weight: 2-5 kg

Body length: 46-65 cm

Tail length: 21-31 cm

Longevity: 8-10 years

Litter size: 2-6 cubs

Morphology

Two subspecies of this cat are recognised, Otocolobus manul nigripectus inhabit Tibet, Kashmir, Nepal
and Bhutan.

The cat has short legs, stocky compact build, and long fur. The hair on its underparts is nearly twice as
long as on the top and sides which is an adaptation to live in the cold environment. The face of Pallas's
cat is broad and flattened and its ears are small, rounded and set low on the head. The low profile of its
head is an adaptation to hunting in open country where there is little cover.

Status

The Pallas’s cat is classified as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List and is included in Appendix II
of CITES .
Distribution

The Pallas’s cat is found from Iran throughout Central Asia. It primarily inhabits the steppe grassland
regions of Mongolia, China and the Tibetan Plateau including Nepal.

Habitat

This cat is adapted to cold and arid climates, however, persistent snow cover over 15 cm seems to limit
its distribution. Pallas’s cat inhabits montane grassland, shrub and grass steppe, hilly areas, stony alpine
deserts and semi-deserts.

Behaviour

Pallas’s cat is a solitary animal that is primarily crepuscular. For shelter it uses caves, rock crevices or
abandoned burrows of other animals such as of marmots, foxes and badgers. Such shelter is thought to
be a critical habitat feature for Pallas’s cats as they are often predated by sympatric predators. Such
shelters are also essential as birthing dens and for raising young. When Pallas’s cat feels threatened and
no shelter is available, rather than run, it remains perfectly still relying on its camouflage for protection.
The home ranges of the Pallas’s cat can be very large considering its small body size, with home ranges
of over 100 km² for males in some regions.

Food Behaviour

It mainly feeds upon small to medium sized mammals like pikas and other rodents.

Pallas’s cats have been observed to use three hunting techniques: 'Stalking’ involving creeping slowly
and low to the ground, using vegetation or rocks as cover; a ‘moving and flushing’ technique where
Pallas’s cat quickly walks through long grass undergrowth; and an ‘ambush’ technique, where cats wait
outside a burrow for prey to emerge.

Conservation

Pallas’s cat’s requirement for large areas and their diet and habitat specialization makes them more
vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and degradation. This factor is currently regarded as the major
threat to this species.

Pallas’s cats are unable to dig burrows and are highly dependent on those provided by marmots. These
burrows serve as shelter, avoid predation and for rearing young. The hunting of marmots thus
negatively affects Pallas’s cat survival.
 Snow leopard (Him Chituwa)
Panthera uncia

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Weight: 30-50 kg

Body length: 90-120 cm

Tail length: 80-100 cm

Longevity: 10-20 years

Litter size: 1-5 cubs

Morphology

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) belongs to the genus Panthera and is closely related to the tiger
(Panthera tigris) than to common leopard as the name suggests.

The snow leopard has whitish-grey or grey-brown coloured fur with dark grey or black spots and
rosettes with pale centres, giving it perfect camouflage for its mountain environment when hunting for
prey. In winter the fur becomes thick and long (on the belly up to 12 cm The snow leopard is keenly
adapted to life at high elevations, with its enlarged nasal cavity, shortened forelimbs and well developed
chest muscles. Its bushy tail is extraordinarily long at up to 1 m or 75-90% of the total body length and is
thought to help maintain balance on the steep slopes. They may also use their tail to wrap around
themselves for warmth when lying or sitting.

Status

Snow leopard is classified as Vulnerable in IUCN Red List and is included in CITES Appendix 1.

Distribution

The cat is distributed in 12 countries and is found in high mountains of Central Asia including the Altai,
Tian Shan, Kun Lun, Pamir, Hindu Kush, Karakorum and Himalayan ranges. The global Snow Leopard
population is estimated to be 4,510 to 7,350 individuals.
National Distribution

Snow Leopards are distributed along the northern border with China (Tibet) and occur within seven
mountain protected areas: Annapurna Conservation Area, Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, Langtang
National Park, Makalu Barun National Park, Manaslu Conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park and
Shey Phoksundo National Park.

National population size

Total: 300-500

Habitat

The snow leopard is generally found at elevations between 3,000-5,000m and mainly occupies the
alpine and subalpine ecological zones where it frequents steep terrain well broken by cliffs, ridges,
gullies, and rocky outcrops.

Behaviour

The snow leopard is a solitary predator and is mostly active at dusk and dawn. In Nepal home ranges of
10-40 km² have been recorded.

Snow leopards communicate mostly through scent marking and scraping. The snow leopard’s vocal fold
is less developed than in the other pantherines and lacks a thick pad of fibro-elastic tissue so that it
cannot make the low and intense "roars" like other big cats. They do yowl and it is most common during
breeding season when seeking a mate.
 Fig. cat urinating

Food behaviour

The snow leopard preys primarily on wild sheep and goats, such as blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur),
Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), markhor (Capra falconeri), argali (Ovis ammon), musk deer (Moschus
chrysogaster) and Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) although smaller species including Marmot,
Pika, Hares, small rodents and game birds such as the Snowcock and Chukar Partridge also supplement
the snow leopard diet. With the advent of genetic validation of faecal origins, the estimated
contribution of small prey to snow leopard diets has been substantially reduced.

Conservation

Threats to Snow Leopards include poaching for trade in their pelts and retaliatory killings, often in
response to depredation on livestock.

Its fur is valuable and body parts (such as bones, claws or meat) are used in traditional medicine partly
as substitutes for tiger parts.

Mitigating human wildlife conflict is of major concern and there have been measures of bringing local
people together in conservation practices.

The Snow Leopard Network was established to unite individuals and organisations for better
cooperation and information sharing and to help implement the Snow Leopard Survival Strategy.
 Leopard (Chituwa)

Panthera pardus fusca

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Panthera pardus fusca

Weight: 17-90 kg

Body length: 91-191 cm

Tail length: 51-101 cm

Longevity: 13-21 years

Litter size: 1-4 cubs

Morphology

Recent genetic studies suggest eight leopard subspecies and Panthera pardus fusca is found in Indian
Sub-continent.
There is a high degree of variation in size and colouring of leopards across its broad geographical range.
Leopards in Africa are typically the largest and can weigh up to 90kg while those in india weigh 50-77 kg.

Usually, the leopard’s fur is yellowish to olive, and black spotted. Melanistic individuals have also been
reported from India and other Asian countries. A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the
leopard and the jaguar. Black panthers of both species have excess black pigments, but their typical
rosettes are also present.

Its scapula is adapted for the attachment of powerful muscles that raise the thorax, enhancing its ability
to climb trees.

The sexes show marked differences in size and physical features which indicates different feeding
ecology.
Status:

Included in CITES Appendix 1

Global: Near Threatened

National: Vulnerable D1

National status is based on a population suspected to consist of fewer than 1,000 mature individuals.
Previously regarded as common, recent studies have established that in some areas Leopard
populations are declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation, human wildlife conflict and competition
with other carnivores like tiger and wolves.

Distribution:

The leopard`s geographic range is quite wide. It inhabits Africa and Asia and ranges from most of sub-
Saharan Africa over the Arabic peninsula, south-western and eastern Turkey, through southwest Asia
and the Caucasus up to the Himalayas, South Asia, Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, China and the
Russian Far East.

Leopards seem to have a wide distribution in Iran.

National Distribution

The species is distributed widely across Nepal in areas below 4,400 m elevation. There is evidence to
support the presence of Leopards from 73 districts of the country.
In Bardia National Park, Leopards are being possibly displaced by Royal Bengal Tigers through social
dominance in prey rich areas.

National population size

Total: < 1,000 (estimated) Trend: Decreasing (estimated)

Habitat

The leopard is highly adaptable and can inhabit a wide range of different ecosystems with extreme
variation in conditions and habitat types. It occurs from tropical rainforest to temperate deciduous and
alpine areas up to high mountain slopes.
Behaviour

The leopard is solitary and territorial but an adult female is usually always accompanied by cubs who
disperse after 2 - 3 years of age. It attacks from very close range with a short burst of speed and a
powerful strike of the front paw. The leopard is an excellent climber and prey is often dragged up into
trees for eating and caching. This behaviour seems to be more common in areas where competing
carnivores are numerous. The leopard also retreats up a tree in the face of direct aggression from such
competitors.

Food behaviour

The leopard preys on a variety of species. However, it prefers medium sized ungulates and can kill prey
up to 2 or 3 times larger than itself.

The leopard’s ability to use trees for caching surplus meat enables them to live close to lions and tigers
and to withstand pressure from scavengers.

Conservation

This species is likely to benefit from conservation measures in place for the tiger.

Need to develop a management plan for Leopards captured in urban areas including suitable sites for
holding and creation of further holding areas, release areas and monitoring of those re-released.

Targeted poaching for wildlife trade is probably the greatest factor that contributed to the recent range
collapse of leopards in South-east Asia.

The reduction of human-leopard conflict, for example by improved livestock management measures,
swiftly dispensed compensation procedures for lost livestock, is of high importance.
 Tiger (Bagh)

Panthera tigris tigris

IUCN Red List: Endangered

Weight: 75-325 kg

Body length: 150-230 cm

Tail length: 90-110 cm

Longevity: 12-15 years

Litter size: 1-5 cubs

Morphology

The tiger (Panthera tigris) evolved, along with other modern felids in the Panthera lineage, from an
ancestral cat species around 10.8 million years ago. Several million years later, the tiger branched off
along with the other "great roaring cats" of the modern Panthera genus. The most recent common
ancestor for tiger matrilineal mitochondrial DNA is estimated to have originated 72,000-108,000 years
ago.
The tiger is the largest living cat species and is the only cat with stripes. It has a reddish-orange to
yellow-ochre coat with black stripes and a white belly. The stripe patterns are unique to individual
tigers. The stripes vary in number, as well as width and propensity to split and run to spots. In India,
tigers with a white coat, ashy grey or brown stripes, and blue eyes, have been described.

There are two recognized subspecies of tiger: the continental (Panthera tigris tigris) and the Sunda
(Panthera tigris sondaica).

Amur tigers (sometimes called Siberian tigers) are the biggest tigers, with males weighing up to 660
pounds and measuring up to 10 feet long from nose to tip of the tail. Sumatran tigers are the smallest of
the tiger subspecies, maxing out at about 310 pounds and 8 feet.

Status

The tiger is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List and is included in CITES Appendix I.

Distribution

The geographic distribution of the tiger once extended across Asia from eastern Turkey and the
southern parts of the Caspian Sea to the Sea of Okhotska (eastern coast of Russia). Today, an estimated
7% or less of its original historical range remains.Tigers are now restricted to ten countries, namely
those of Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia and Thailand.

Current world tiger population is 5574.

Distribution area of the tiger: red = extant, yellow = extinct, grey = presence uncertain
National Distribution

Royal Bengal Tiger populations exist in fragmented locations in the Terai region and core sub
populations are concentrated in the protected areas of Bardia National Park (125), Chitwan National
Park (128), Parsa Wildlife Reserve and Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve and the districts of Banke, Bara,
Bardia, Chitwan, Dang, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Makawanpur, Nawalparasi, Parsa and Rupandehi.

National Population size

There are officially 355 wild tigers in Nepal, according to the latest census in 2022, nearly triple the
figure of 121 from 2010. Thus the Nepalese Government’s international commitment was achieved of
doubling the tiger population

Habitat

The tiger is found in a variety of habitats such as the tropical, subtropical and temperate evergreen and
deciduous forests in South and Southeast Asia, and the coniferous, scrub oak, and birch woodlands of
the Russian Far East. The tiger can be found from the lowland swamp forests of Sumatra to the dry high
altitude areas of Bhutan, where it has been recorded up to 4,500 m above sea level.

Royal Bengal Tigers live in humid evergreen forests, dry open jungle and grassy swamps of the Terai in
Nepal. The Terai grasslands, where a large percentage of tigers are distributed, are one of the most
critically threatened tiger habitats in the world.
Behaviour

The tiger is a solitary animal. Females require and maintain individual territories. Males disperse
sometimes over long distances and their territories often overlap with 1–3 females. In areas rich in prey
throughout the year (e.g., Nepal’s Chitwan National Park), studies have found female home ranges
averaging 10-39 km² in size and male home ranges around 30-105 km². Similarly, tiger densities vary in
accordance to prey availability with values as high as 15–19 tigers per 100 km² being reported in areas
with high prey availability (India's Kaziranga and Corbett National Parks) and as low as 0.13–0.45 tigers
per 100 km² reported for areas with low prey availability (Russia’s Sikhote Alin Mountains).
Food Behaviour

The tiger is an obligate terrestrial carnivore. It ambushes its prey but also actively searches for prey
species. The main prey species of the tiger are large ungulates such as chital (Axis axis), gaur (Bos
gaurus), sambar (Cervus unicolor), wild pig (Sus scrofa) and muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak). The diet of
the tiger is biogeographically diverse. They are capable of taking down prey much larger than
themselves including large bovids such as water buffalo and rarely even animals such as the Asian
elephant or rhino.

Conservation

One of the main threats to the tiger today is illegal hunting and poaching. Tigers were once widely
hunted for sport and trophy hunting. Tiger trade still occurs in non-government-controlled areas, such
as northern Myanmar bordering China.

Tiger skins and other body parts can be sold for a lot of money, i.e. for USD 10,000–70,000.

Additionally, there have been increasing reports of tiger farming and captures of wild tigers to stock
breeding programmes. In China there are so called tiger farms in place with intensive breeding of
captive animals and which produce illegally tiger bone wine.

Direct and indirect conflict between tigers and humans and their property has historically been a major
source of tiger mortality and remains an important threat today. Tigers may kill livestock and have
attacked or killed people everywhere tigers and people coexist.

“Source” populations and core protected tiger areas are unevenly distributed and may represent only
6% of current tiger range. Protecting and monitoring these remaining breeding populations, establishing
and protecting corridors and trans boundary conservation areas to support gene flow among disjunctive
populations, are conservation priorities.

The fact that tigers no longer are present in much of their historical range presents opportunities for
range expansion and targeted tiger reintroductions and translocations in the future. There now are
plans to reintroduce tigers into former range countries including Kazakhstan and Cambodia.

The historical trend of hunting tiger by royals is the main contributing factor of its reduction in number.
According to Fortescue (1912) the total number of animals shot during this 10-day hunt i n the Chitwan
valley of southern Nepal was 18 rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis), 39 tigers (Panthera tigris) and 4 sloth
bears (Melursus ursinus). Of these, King George V shot 8 rhinos, 21 tigers and 1 bear.

THANK YOU FOR READING.

BY:

PRAWESH GAUTAM

([email protected]), 9843524597