 Golden Cat: Extinct in Singapore?
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Aug. 14, 2003 — A new, landmark study shows that Singapore has lost about half its animal species in the last 200 years, and that the rest of the region is likely to follow suit very soon.
The study, published in the science journal Nature, was carried out by researchers from the National University of Singapore and Australia's Northern Territory University.
Given the extensive destruction of habitat, the researchers predicted the loss of up to 42 percent of animal populations in Southeast Asia by the end of this century.
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After examining detailed documentation of the state of mammals, birds, fish and butterflies on the island, they found that at least 881 of 3,196 recorded species, or 28 percent, are now gone forever.
Taking into account the probable number of animals in the area before the keeping of detailed records in the late 1800s, the researchers stated that the loss is actually higher than 28 percent, and probably represents as much as 50 percent of Singapore's animals.
The researchers stated, "Large-scale conservation efforts need to be implemented if these rates of extinction are to be abated."
Habitats have been destroyed by a number of factors. Agriculture and urban development are the two main culprits behind the mass extinctions, but over-hunting and fishing, and the heavy shelling of nature reserves during World War II, also played a part in the destruction.
Among the animals most threatened with extinction are two mammals found only in Singapore: the cream-colored giant squirrel and the banded leaf monkey, said one of the study's authors, Associate Professor Peter Ng of the National University of Singapore’s Department of Biological Sciences.
The populations of these two mammals have thinned out so dramatically that there is no hope for their survival, according to Ng.
"These are effectively the living dead," said Ng, who is also director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.
According to the study, the prospects for Singapore's surviving animals look bleak, since 77 percent of species are already under threat, and most of them are concentrated in nature reserves.
The researchers recommended that action be taken to save as many animals as possible as soon as possible.
"It's imperative to hang on to all our protected areas," Ng said. "We can't change history, but we can try to hang on to what we have now."
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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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