Image captured by a camera trap and distributed on December 26, 2025, showing a recently rediscovered flat-headed cat in the Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary in southern Thailand.
A flat-headed cat has been spotted inside a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand for the first time in about three decades, a rare feline species that had been classified as likely extinct in this Asian country, according to an announcement on Friday by protected area officials and a wildlife conservation organization.
Flat-headed cats, which live in Southeast Asia and are similar in size to domestic cats, are among the rarest and most endangered wild feline species in the world, due to the loss of their natural habitats.
An ecological study, initiated in 2024 using camera traps, allowed for the detection of cats of this species 29 times inside the Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary in southern Thailand, according to Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and the wild cat protection organization Panthera.
The Flat-headed Cat
The flat-headed cat is a nocturnal and elusive animal, often living in wet ecosystems such as peatlands and mangroves, environments that are very difficult for researchers to work in.
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The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates the number of flat-headed cats still existing in the world to be around 2,500.
In Thailand, this species had been considered “likely extinct”.
Thailand
Thailand is a Southeast Asian nation with a rich history dating back to ancient kingdoms like Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, which established Theravada Buddhism and distinctive cultural traditions. It is unique in the region for never having been colonized by a European power, maintaining its monarchy and cultural identity throughout the modern era. Today, it is renowned globally for its ornate temples, vibrant cuisine, and tropical landscapes.
Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary
The Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province, established in 1992 and named in honor of the Thai princess. It was created to conserve the region’s diverse ecosystems, including important watershed forests and habitats for species like elephants and tigers.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is a diverse region comprising eleven countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, historically shaped by indigenous kingdoms and extensive trade. Its cultural sites, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia, reflect the profound influence of Hinduism, Buddhism, and later Islam and colonialism. The region’s modern history is marked by struggles for independence from European colonial powers in the mid-20th century.
Libyan Desert
The Libyan Desert is a vast, arid region in North Africa, forming the northeastern sector of the Sahara. Historically, it has been a formidable barrier, yet it contains archaeological sites like the Gilf Kebir plateau with prehistoric rock art, indicating ancient human habitation.
