Leopard Cat

Taiwanese Leopard Cat has it name, Shihu, in Mandarin meaning of “Stone Tiger”. Nowadays, there are less than 500 Leopard Cats left in Taiwan.Leopard Cats listed as an endangered species.

Habitat

Leopard Cat is now distributed in lowland hills in the central part of Taiwan.They are active in hilly areas at elevations of 1,000 meters in Taichung and Nantou and Miaoli counties.

Threats

They are often killed by vehicles because their natural habitats are surrounded by roads. There are approximately 13 road kills every year from 2015 to 2018, but in 2019, the number dramatically increased to 31 of Leopard Cats kills.

In addition to the road kills, Leopard Cats are also poisoned by chicken farm owners since they hunt chickens for being an apex predator.

Conservation

1. Ecological inspection, habitat conservation, and eco-friendly roads

The most fundamental and important conservation measures of leopard cats are reducing and properly planning development projects, and preserving existing habitats as much as possible to help leopard cats breed and live safely.

As for roads that have been developed, measures such as friendly road facilities, fences, and animal passages can be used to help leopard cats cross the road.

2.Living in harmony with the leopard cats, friendly farming, chicken coop protection

We can learn more about the habits of leopard cats to find a way of living in harmony with them. For example, protect chicken coop so that leopard cats have no chance to enter, do not use pesticides and change into friendly methods such as biological control.

Also, Taiwan has introduced a raft of measures to preserve the leopard cat, including giving farmers cash incentives.