Small cat surveys: 10 years of data from Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo

Abstract

We present an update on the photographic detections from camera traps and the activity patterns of Borneo’s four small cats, namely, Sunda Leopard Cat Prionailurus javanensis, Flat-headed Cat P. planiceps, Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata, and Bay Cat Catopuma badia, at two sites in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.  Camera trap survey data of 10 years (2008–2018) from the first site in Sebangau provide details about the temporal partitioning of these small cats from each other but overlap with Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi.  The activity of Flat-headed Cat was higher after midnight and that of Leopard Cat at night with no clear preference before or after midnight.  The Marbled Cat is predominantly diurnal, but the remaining three cats have flexible activity periods.  While limited data are available from Rungan, the second site, we confirmed the presence of all four small cat species found on Borneo, though we have insufficient data to comment on the Bay Cat.  The cat sightings, however, are intermittent and may reflect the unprotected status of this forest.  Leopard Cats appear relatively unaffected by habitat disturbance based on encounter rates on camera traps.  Conservationists, both NGOs and the government, must pay particular attention to specialists like Flat-headed Cats and Bay Cats when assessing habitat suitability for long-term cat conservation.