Vanishing Species

As do many of their relatives, a number of the small cats of Africa and Eurasia face an uncertain future.

Fortunately, species such as the caracal, serval, African golden cat, and Pallas' cat exist in viable numbers in secure wildlife refuges.

Others, like the Iriomote cat, the Asiatic golden cat, bay cat, and flat-headed cat, are vulnerable and in danger of extinction.

Governments realize the value of "ecotourism" and now invest in protecting the habitat of many of these species, but unfortunately for both the ecotourist and the dedicated biologist, many of these cats are too wary of human presence to be seen.

Wildlife films continue to be the only way of seeing many of these relatives of the domestic cat.