CATS

  
 


An adult female Tiger in Nam Et-Phou Louey in March 2003. The Tiger is an 'endangered' species meaning there are very few remaining in the wild and they face several serious threats. In Laos, Nam Et-Phou Louey is one of the few areas in the country where tigers have been confirmed in recent years. [protected species]

 

  
 

 
 


Tiger
An adult male Tiger in the Nam Et-Phou Louey in November 2005. To survive, an individual tiger needs to eat at least one large deer or pig (150kg) per week. Illegal trade of tiger prey (wild deer, pigs and cattle) and of tigers (selling their skin or their bones for medicine) is threatening their survival in Laos.

 

  
   
 


Although tigers still exist in Laos, they are rare and hardly ever seen. To count tigers, scientists use cameras to identify different individuals by comparing stripe patterns as the pattern is unique for each individual tiger. Scientists estimate that there are less than 20 tigers in Nam Et-Phou Louey today but the government is working with conservation organizations and communities to increase these numbers over the next decade.

 

  
 

 
 


Leopard
The Leopard is the second largest wild cat in Laos. Once thought to be common, records are now rare in most areas of the country. Illegal trade of prey (wild deer and pigs) and of leopards (selling their skin or their bones for medicine) is threatening their survival. [Nam Et-Phou Louey; protected species]

 

  
 

 
 


Clouded Leopard
The Clouded Leopard is a forest dwelling cat threatened by habitat loss and hunting for skins. It is one of the largest wild cats in Laos, after Leopard and Tiger. [Nam Et-Phou Louey; protected species]

 

  
   
 


A rare photograph of two Clouded Leopards together, perhaps a mother and cub, in the Nam Kading National Protected Area. The national Wildlife Law identifies the Clouded Leopard as a 'protected' species meaning that it is illegal to hunt the cat anywhere in the country.

 

  
 

 
 


Asian Golden Cat
This is a rare photo of a mating pair of Asian Golden Cat in Houaphan Province. Although uncommon in many parts of Asia and more recently in parts of Laos, this cat is still photographed regularly in the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area.

 

  
   
 

This series of amazing photos captures rarely seen mating behavior between an Asian Golden Cat pair. The female is in the center of the photo and the male to the outside. [Nam Et-Phou Louey; protected species]

 

  
 

 
 


Marbled Cat
This is a rare photo of a pair of Marbled Cat in the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area. This cat is not well known elsewhere in Asia and in Laos seems to occur primarily in montane evergreen forest at altitudes higher than 1000 meters. [protected species]

 

  
 

 
 
Leopard Cat
The Leopard Cat is the most frequently seen wild cat in Laos. It is primarily active at night, weighs from 3-5kg, lives in a variety of different habitats and eats small mammals, lizards, and even insects. [Nam Et-Phou Louey]		  
 
Relative sizes of Cats		  
     
 

Top of page