Temminick’s Golden Cat
Catopuma temmincki temmincki

• Temminck’s Golden Cats have long been known in Myanmar and Thailand as “fire cats”. Legend says that carrying one hair from this cat will protect the bearer from attack by tigers.
• Burning the entire pelt will protect the entire village from tigers by driving them away.
• This Asian cat is very closely related to the African Golden Cat, although the two are separated by more than 6400 kms.
• Although their status in the wild is unknown, these cats are reported to be hunted for their pelts and bones. The meat is considered a delicacy and the animals are roasted whole on a spit. The bones are then ground into a powder to be given to children to relieve fevers.
• As Temminck’s Golden Cats become increasingly rare, poaching, as with the larger cats, is a greater concern throughout its’ range.
• Because these cats sometimes prey on domestic stock, villagers actively hunt them. Deforestation of the tropical forests of Southeast Asia is also a major threat to their survival.
• Little is known about this species due to rarity of sightings, which are becoming fewer due to human encroachment.