The

Visayan Leopard Cat

 Introduction
The Visayan leopard cat, locally known as the “Maral” is a spotted wild cat endemic to island of Negros, Panay,
Cebu and Masbate. Its scientific name is Prionailurus javanensis sumatranus. It is a subspecies of leopard cats and
was proposed by anthropologist Colin Groves in 1997 although from that time, it was known as the Prionailurus
bengalensis rabori. It is currently classified as a threatened species under the IUCN (International Union for
Conservation of Nature) Red list under the category vulnerable mostly due to rapid industrialization of the human
world that causes their primary habitats to be fragmented and force them to live close to human settlements.

For the reason that this species is in danger or is vulnerable to extinction, the general public, most importantly the
locals that may interact with the species, must be knowledgeable and aware that such species exist within their area. It
is not just about the trademark that goes with having an endemic species exclusively present in your locality, it is
more about preserving, conserving and protecting the life that existed even before our time. At the current rate of
population explosion especially in the Philippines, measures are being taken to ensure that there are adjustments to
cater the needs of these helpless animals.

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Taxonomy and Nomenclature

Prionailurus came from the Greek word “prion” which means saw (in the context of
tool that slices wood) while the “ailur” means cat. If roughly translated, it would mean saw
cat. While on its specification on species javanensis sumatranus.

A phylogeographical study indicates that the Sunda leopard cat lineage diverged in the
Middle Pleistocene. The Toba eruption expanded the Borneo population to Sumatra and the
Philippines during the late Pleistocene glaciation. Since leopard cats in Palawan and Negros
show low genetic differentiation, it is possible that humans introduced the leopard cat from
Palawan to Negros and adjacent islands. Based on these results, two Sunda leopard cat
subspecies are recognized, namely P. j. javanensis and P. j. sumatranus, the latter including
the Visayan leopard cat.

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Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Kingdom
Animalia

Phylum
Phylum
Chordata

Class
Class
Mammalia

Order
Order
Carnivora

Family
Family
Felidae

Genus
Genus
Prionailurus
Specie
Specie
ss
P.
javan
ensis
Anatomy and Physiology

They are known to grow to the size of large house cats. Weighing on a 3-7kg range and a length of 44.5-
107cm. Their fur and coat mostly depend on their biogeography but in general have pale, tawny pelage and a white
belly. Their body and tail is covered with rosettes or the spots that you see on leopards but are actually clusters of
black, yellow and tan markings that are unique to each leopard much like a human fingerprint. Leopard cats situated
in northern latitudes have fur that are longer and paler and weigh more to adjust to the cold weather. The Visayan
leopard cat however living in heavily forested and temperate habitats have a more dark-tawny pelage.
Reproduciton & Survival

They are solitary creatures which why there is little data regarding their mating system.
Besides being solitary, there is a low abundance of the animal due to fragmentation of their
habitats. It is found that males overlap multiple females whom he tries to mate with. Their
breeding interval varies with the environmental conditions as well as local conditions which
breeding season depends on as well. Gestation period lasts 2-3 months or 62 to 75 days,
comparable to house cats which have the same period. Offspring produced range between 1-
4 cubs and averaging for about 2.5.

Litters/kittens often depend on their mother for nutrition. Either it be for milk that it
provides or rodents that it hunts and brings home. The survival rate of litter is better off with
its mother rather than rescue centres as litters abandon by their mothers often don’t survive
for long.

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Environmental Conditions

Geographic Distribution Diversity &

The Visayan leopard cat is
endemic to the Philippine islands
of Panay and Negros where it
inhabits remnant forest fragments.
In Cebu, it has also been recorded
in sugarcane farms. It is
probably locally extinct or close
to extinction on the islands of
Cebu and Masbate. Panay and
Negros islands have lost 90%–
95 % of their natural habitat.
Dominance
 Felis javanensis from Java
island,
 Felis sumatranus from
Sumatra,
 Prionailurus bengalensis
borneoensis from Borneo
 P.b. heaneyi from Palawan
 P. b. rabori from Negros,
Cebu and Panay
Niche/Role
Though they fit well in night, they
can also be sighted in the day
roaming the ground. The preference
of the Visayan leopard cat for
rodents help in the control of pest
population. Their presence in
sugarcane fields regulate the
abundance of agricultural pests that
can cause crop damage as well as
propagation of diseases spread by
such rodents so they also help in
disease control.

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THREA
TS
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 Much can be said on manmade threats primarily the rapid industrialization of
communities where these creatures roam and live. As the Philippine population continues to
expand, it is projected that so does area coverage of human habitations. This measure greatly
affects the survival of these Visayan leopard cats because the homes they habituate are also
the place to where they have off springs/litters in their context.
When they are “invaded” by human habitations, there arises conflict that forces the
mother leopard cat to abandon her litters. The abandonment of the parent decreases the chance
of survival of the litters because they need the nutrients of milk the mother cat produces.
Furthermore, the stress that the litters experience factors in as well.

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 Conservation and Protection
Programs
Due to continuous deforestation, the leopard cat’s habitats are constantly being fragmented and
forcing them to live near human habitations. At this point, human-animal conflict is unavoidable and
the lack of knowledge towards these creatures especially in handling them is considered a factor why
their population declines. A study conducted by Lorica & Oliver (2006) concluded that the Visayan
leopard cat be included in the Philippine List of Threatened Species and added to the IUCN Red List
under the status category Vulnerable with reasons rooting from deforestation and other factors such as
continued hunting pressure and changing agricultural practices among others.

Locally in the Philippines, the Mari-it Wildlife and Conservation Park located in West Visayas
University campus in Lambunao, Iloilo is making an effort on supporting not only the Visayan leopard
cat but as well as other animals that are looked after in the park. Although there is currently a crisis on
the funding of the park which may jeopardize the duty of the conservation park to protect the animals.
The local government within the area is utilizing resources together with the WVSU for the expansion
of the park.

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 SYNTHESIS
The disruption on ecosystems that human expansion has, creates long-term problems that
may as well be too late for recovery. The Visayan leopard cat is naturally elusive and solitary, it
does not have anything to do with us that is why it avoids any interaction. The solution that people
can give is adjust its environment for the creature to be suited and less-likely to be disturbed so the
litters that it nurses would not be abandoned and continue to develop to propagate the species.
Anchored with this are the programs that educate the locals on the animal and what to do once they
encounter one.
It may be a subspecies of a genus but it is still endemic to the country. Awareness is lacking the
drive of ensuring the safety of these creatures. The attitude of taking care of these creatures must be
spread and developed to the locality.

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