One of the world’s rarest wild cats with webbed feet has been rediscovered after 30 years

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A rare wild cat with unique webbed feet has been found in Thailand after almost 30 years, offering hope for this endangered species.

Scientists collaborating with Thailand’s national park service and the wildlife organization Panthera have confirmed the reappearance of the flat-headed cat, a very rare wild cat species.

This species hadn’t been seen in Thailand since 1995, and some scientists thought it might be extinct there.

Researchers recently rediscovered the cats while conducting wildlife surveys at Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary in southern Thailand. Remote cameras successfully captured images of these elusive animals on several occasions.

Rare cat caught on film for the first time since 1995

A photo captured a mother flat-headed cat with her kitten, proving these rare cats are still living and reproducing in the region.

Trail cameras spotted the species 13 times in 2024 and 16 times in 2025. This is the most information ever gathered about this animal in Thailand.

Flat-headed cats are named for their uniquely flattened heads and long skulls. They also have webbed feet, which help them catch fish and other animals that live in rivers and swampy forests.

Flat-headed cats are struggling due to shrinking habitats caused by farming, illegal trading as pets, polluted water, and declining fish populations. To figure out the best way to protect them, Panthera is using camera traps in Malaysian Borneo – and that’s how we captured this video.

— Panthera (@PantheraCats) January 3, 2025

According to a report by Panthera, there are likely only about 2,500 adult flat-headed cats left in the world. This makes them one of the rarest and most mysterious wild cats on the planet.

Kritsana Kaewplang, Country Director for Panthera Thailand, explained that finding this animal after almost thirty years demonstrates the positive impact of combining scientific research with dedicated conservation efforts.

These areas are home to a huge variety of plants and animals, but they’re also in danger. Despite the threats, they continue to show a remarkable ability to recover. We’re excited to continue studying them and improve our efforts to protect these important places.

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2026-03-16 15:50