Iriomote cat sighting

It was next to the road..and it was just a coincidence!! One of the most endangered wild cat species on Earth!! Around 100 individuals are thought to exist on the 284 km2 Iriomote Island. Me and my mates observed it capturing one of its favorite prey items: frogs!! Sometimes it is attracted to the road because of prey. Other times it increases its movement (even along the road) because it is in search of females (males are more frequently hit by cars than females) or of a home range.

This individual seemed to be a dispersing young male due to its small size and the period of the year.
Unfortunately, every year, Iriomote cats are victims to roadkills (this year with a record of deaths!!) so if you happen to be on Iriomote Island please drive slowly! Car accidents as well as habitat destruction are considered to be the biggest threats to its survival.

It was just a flash but it seemed like an hour!! And.. I am very happy I was driving so slowly!! ;)

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Iriomote
• cat
• Island
• endangered
• car
• accidents
• frogs

[Roy19841123]

小さいんですね！

[gybnxi]

Azumanga Daioh brought me here...

[DemyxFanOfOwls]

How wonderful!! I do hope they increase the population... I really do.

[MichaelCox]

They might want to consider tagging or breeding a pair in captivity for the preservation of the species. It would be a bummer if they went extinct.

[Triner108]

@Acidwolf117: The Iriomote Cat is listed as a critically endangered animal. Let us say IF I were to believe you (which I do not), then by taking it out of it's natural habitat you are violating multiple international preservation laws and would be sent away to jail for a long time. Please come up with some more realistic lies next time

[miikosuzumiya]

Sooo cute! I hope they live!

[Familygirl17]

Aww...That just brought tears to my eyes!