UKHRUL: The elusive Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) has been recorded for the first time in Manipur through a camera trap in Shirui village of Ukhrul district, marking a significant development in the state’s wildlife documentation.
The record was documented by ENFOGAL (Environmental Force at Grass Root Level), highlighting the ecological significance of the Shirui landscape and adding a new record to Manipur’s documented wildlife.
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Native to South and Southeast Asia, the Asian golden cat is classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Its elusive nature makes camera traps an important tool for documenting its presence and monitoring its distribution in forest habitats.
ENFOGAL said, “The discovery underscores the importance of sustained wildlife monitoring and forest conservation in the Shirui Hills. Further surveys may help establish a clearer understanding of the species’ distribution and habitat use in Manipur.”