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Wild Cats Research Paper

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Many carnivorous, wild cats http://www.care2.com/causes/the-worlds-rarest-big-cat-is-making-a-comeback.html can only be found in the island of Borneo. http://www.care2.com/causes/encounter-with-extinct-rhino-in-borneo-brings-hope-for-their-survival.html But new research shows that we're losing them at an alarming rate: half of these majestic cats are expected to go extinct -- unless we act now. http://www.care2.com/causes/this-shy-yellow-eyed-penguin-is-headed-toward-extinction.html

A Roadmap to Hope?

An international team of researchers is trying to save the cats from sure doom. The German Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Species Survival …show more content…

But we know that over 45 percent of protected wetlands in Southeast Asia are threatened (and that's a conservative estimate), reports the IUCN Red List. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18148/0

This habitat loss and degradation are driving the flat-headed cat towards extinction. Other threats include: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18148/0

clearance of coastal mangroves; depletion of fish prey; increased palm oil plantations; trapping; snaring; poisoning.

Bay Cat

The Endangered bay cat's survival depends on its forest habitat. But rampant deforestation is destroying the bay cat in the process. According to the IUCN Red List, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/4037/0 "if current deforestation rates continue, [Borneo's forest cover] is projected to decline from 50% to less than one-third by 2020." Consequently, the bay cat's population is projected to decline ">20%" over the next two generations, or 12 short years. The expansion of oil palm plantations and commercial logging are destroying the bay cat's habitat. The rare cat is exploited by the pet and wildlife trades.

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