Cameras for cats

Uncover the secrets of Borneo’s elusive wild cats.

Borneo is home to five wild cat species: the Sunda clouded leopard, the Sunda leopard cat, the flat-headed cat, the marbled cat, and the endemic Borneo bay cat. However, very little is currently known about their distribution, behaviour or population sizes.

We use camera traps to collect vital information about Borneo’s five wild cats, helping to develop species protection plans and inform conservation decision-making at regional, national and international levels.

BNF captured rare video footage of an Endangered bay cat in 2016, which led to the discovery of a new population.

Did you know that Borneo is home to an eighth of the world’s wild cat species?

Despite this, the island’s wild cats have long been something of a conservation afterthought, and all five species are believed to be in decline due to habitat loss and poaching.

To protect Borneo’s wild cats, we first need to understand where they live, what they do and how many there are. Without reliable population estimates, we can’t accurately gauge changes over time, hindering our ability to identify and mitigate threats to the species’ survival.

However, this kind of information-gathering is no easy task. Wild cats are notoriously shy and go out of their way to avoid contact with humans, making them particularly difficult to study amidst the dense jungles of Borneo. To overcome this, we use camera traps to passively collect data across a wide range of landscapes, from the rocky Heart of Borneo to the island’s vast tropical peat-swamps.

Using camera trap footage and photos of the five cat species across multiple landscapes, we will provide a comprehensive assessment of their populations and distribution. By evaluating the ways these animals are adapting to human disturbance, we can develop targeted species action plans, directly combatting the threats faced by these rare and charismatic felines.

BNF is delighted to partner with Panthera and Re:Wild to make a real difference for the protection of Borneo’s wild cats. By conducting camera trap research, engaging with communities and building a strong network of partnerships, we will be a driving force for wild cat conservation.

OUR IMPACT

years of studying Borneo’s wild cats

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photos and videos collected

Sunda clouded leopards caught on camera in the Sebangau National Park

We need your help to protect Borneo's forgotten cat species, before it's too late. In return for your support, you will receive a thank you e-certificate with photos from our cat camera traps and regular campaign updates. Thank you.