Population Status Not ranked here for vulnerability, but with its tiny range and small population size, the Iriomote cat as a full species would be Category 1, and qualify as the world’s rarest and most vulnerable cat. IUCN: Endangered The population is estimated to number less than 100 individuals, but is thought to have remained stable since monitoring began in 1982 (Izawa et al. 1989). Radiotelemetry studies carried out from 1982-1988 found that males had larger home ranges than females, at 2.96±1.8 km2 and 1.75±0.8 km2 respectively. Females showed higher residentiality, maintaining stable home ranges and using one feeding site for several years, while males tended to shift their area of activity after a period of several months. In general, male home ranges overlapped those of other males and females, while female home ranges seldom overlapped (Izawa et al. 1989). Density is approximately 0.34 animals per km2 (M. Izawa in litt. 1993).

© 1996 IUCN - The World Conservation Union