Imphal: The Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) has been recorded for the first time in Manipur. A camera trap captured the rare animal in the Shirui village ecosystem in Ukhrul district.
The Environmental Force at Grass Root Level (ENFOGAL) documented the discovery. The finding adds the species to Manipur’s wildlife records and provides further information about the biodiversity of the Shirui landscape.
The Asian golden cat is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It is native to South and Southeast Asia.
As the animal is difficult to spot in the wild, researchers use remote camera traps to confirm its presence and track its distribution in dense forests.
ENFOGAL representatives said the discovery shows the need for regular wildlife monitoring and stronger forest conservation efforts in the Shirui Hills.
The organisation called for more photographic surveys to assess the species’ population, movement patterns and habitat use across the region.