 The mysterious wild cat is likely an Asian golden cat, said officials.
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Aug. 19, 2003 — Bangkok authorities are hunting for a wild cat on the loose in the suburbs, after mauled chickens and tiger-like footprints alerted them that the beast was at large, officials said Tuesday.
The animal is believed to be an Asian golden cat, a protected species that weighs about 30 kilograms (66 pounds) and is the size of a large dog.
After sketchy sightings of a "tiger" in the western suburb of Taling Chan in recent weeks, residents on Sunday discovered the footprints and the partly eaten carcasses of 10 chickens.
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"We are not yet sure what the animal is, but we hope to trap it tonight," said a spokesman for the district administration. "We believe it is likely to be an Asian golden cat," he added.
Golden cats are unlikely to harm adults, but children have been warned to stay inside at night until the animal is found.
Zoological Park Organization staff have joined district authorities in the hunt for the animal, which experts said most likely escaped from a private zoo where it was being kept illegally.
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Name: Asian Golden Cat, aka Temminck's Cat (Catopuma temminckii)
Primary Classification: Felidae (Cats) Location: Southeast Asia. Habitat: Dry deciduous forests, moist evergreen forests and the occasional shrub or grassland habitat. Diet: Wild hares, large rodents, small deer, wild pigs, birds, amphibians, small reptiles, insects and other small animals. Size: Up to 54 inches in length and 33 lbs in weight. Description: Golden brown, to fox-red, to gray or black in color; white streaks bordered with black across cheeks; dense, coarse fur; fairly long legs, white patch on underside of long tail. Cool Facts: Villagers in Thailand believe that burning this cat's fur, or carrying a single strand of its hair, will scare tigers away. Conservation Status: Vulnerable Major Threat(s): Habitat loss and poaching. What Can I Do?: Visit The International Society for Endangered Cats for information on how you can help. |
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