Asian golden cats are known for their beautiful golden or reddish-brown fur, round ears, and distinctive white and black markings on their faces. Though they may appear cute, these cats, which are found in China as well as South and Southeast Asia, are actually very territorial, difficult to find, and prefer to live alone. This solitary nature makes breeding them in captivity challenging, and only a few zoos have managed to do so successfully for conservation efforts.
Now, an Indonesian company named PT Alam Nusantara Jayatama is aiming to be the first to breed these cats commercially, with plans to sell the offspring to exotic pet enthusiasts worldwide. The company is led by Danny Gunalen, who owns multiple zoos and animal breeding facilities in Indonesia. The Indonesian government intends to approve the facility as a legitimate breeder for Asian golden cats. In August, the government notified the Secretariat of CITES, the international agreement on wildlife trade, which includes 184 countries and the European Union. Those countries have until November 10, 2026, to raise any concerns about this registration; if no objections are made, the company will be allowed to export the cats.
Asian golden cats are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and enjoy protection in many of the regions they inhabit. It is estimated that only about 7,000 of these cats remain in the wild, and their populations are declining due to habitat loss. This article was originally published on Mongabay. What are your thoughts on the breeding of rare species for commercial purposes?
Sources:
Source: Mongabay Animals, by Sharon Guynup