Wild cats play an important role in balancing ecosystems, yet many of them are now facing rapidly shrinking populations. Habitat loss, declining prey, climate change, and illegal hunting have pushed several species to dangerously low numbers.
Some are rarely seen in the wild at all. Highlighting these threatened cats helps bring attention to the conservation work needed to protect them and the environments they depend on.
This article is for general information only. Conservation status can change as new research becomes available. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
1. Amur Leopard
Fewer than 100 Amur leopards remain in the wild today, making them one of the rarest big cats on Earth. These beautiful creatures live in the forests along the border between Russia and China, where bitter winters demand their thick, luxurious coats.
Poachers have long targeted them for their stunning fur, while logging companies destroy the forests they call home. Their prey animals, like deer and wild boar, have also declined dramatically.
Conservation groups now work with local communities to protect remaining habitat and crack down on illegal hunting activities.
2. Iberian Lynx
Spain and Portugal are home to this medium-sized wildcat, which nearly vanished completely in the early 2000s. With characteristic pointed ear tufts and a short tail, the Iberian lynx relies almost entirely on rabbits for food.
When a disease wiped out rabbit populations across the region, lynx numbers plummeted to fewer than 100 individuals. Roads cutting through their territory also caused many deaths from vehicle collisions.
Captive breeding programs have helped boost numbers recently, offering hope that this species might recover with continued support and habitat restoration efforts.
3. Sunda Clouded Leopard
Borneo and Sumatra’s dense rainforests hide this elusive feline, which scientists only recognized as a separate species in 2006. Its cloud-like markings provide perfect camouflage among dappled forest shadows, and its long tail helps with balance while climbing.
Palm oil plantations have replaced vast stretches of rainforest, leaving these cats with nowhere to hunt or raise their young. Researchers estimate that fewer than 10,000 remain across both islands.
Local conservation teams patrol protected areas to prevent logging and poaching, though enforcement remains challenging in remote regions.
4. Andean Mountain Cat
High in the Andes Mountains, where oxygen grows thin and temperatures drop below freezing, lives one of the world’s least-known wild cats. This small predator has thick fur to survive elevations above 3,000 metres, where it hunts rodents and birds among rocky outcrops.
Scientists have rarely observed these cats in the wild, making population estimates extremely difficult. Mining operations and livestock grazing continue to disturb their fragile mountain habitat.
Indigenous communities in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru share traditional knowledge that helps researchers better understand these mysterious felines.
5. Flat-Headed Cat
Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand’s wetlands provide home to this unusual small cat with a flattened forehead and partially webbed paws. Unlike most felines, this species loves water and specializes in catching fish, frogs, and crustaceans along riverbanks.
Wetland drainage for agriculture has eliminated much of its habitat, while pollution poisons the waterways it depends on. Its total population likely numbers fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.
Conservationists work to protect remaining wetland areas and educate local communities about the importance of maintaining healthy river ecosystems for wildlife.
6. Scottish Wildcat
Britain’s only native cat species now teeters on the brink of genetic extinction due to interbreeding with domestic cats. True Scottish wildcats have distinctive thick, blunt-tipped tails with bold black rings and robust builds suited for harsh Highland weather.
Experts believe fewer than 300 genetically pure individuals survive in remote Scottish forests. Diseases spread by feral domestic cats pose additional threats to remaining populations.
Breeding programs aim to maintain pure bloodlines, while some organizations advocate for removing feral cats from wildcat territories to prevent further hybridization.
