KUCHING: A rare Borneon bay cat from the Pardofelis badia species, with new black morph colour variation, has been recorded in Lundu some 100km from here recently.
Forest Department research officer and biologist, Dr Ahmad Ampeng, said research was made on the species from the Pardofelis genus which is an endemic in Borneo and rarely seen. The study on wild cat species variation, ecology and behaviour was undertaken by its Research Development and Innovation (RDID) Department.
Previously, only four of the wild cat species have been recorded in the state – in Mulu National Park, Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, Pulong Tau National Park and Anap Muput.
“Based on the recorded colour of such species, it is shown that the Pardofelis badia either has a reddish bay coat or blackish grey coat. The Pardofelis badia recorded in Lundu was all black with a reddish coat at its tail.
“The black coated individual that was recorded explained that this species possesses a variation of different colours similar to its close cousins the Prionailurus bengalensis which also has various colour variations,” Ahmad said when contacted yesterday.
Following the find, he said further research and intensive observation were being carried out.
Meanwhile in June, a new wild cat species scientifically known as Kiarsuii was recorded following a similar observation referring to animal ecology and behaviour conducted in the Gunung Gading National Park in Lundu.
Based on the differences of its shape (measurement), it is confirmed that Kiarsuii is different from other wild cat species found and recorded in the state, Ahmad was reported to have said then.
He mentioned that there were five wild cat species that almost resembled the Kiarsuii found to be living in the jungles of Sarawak. The species were Neofelis diardii, Prionailurus bengalensis borneonsis, Prionailurus planiceps, Pardofelis marmorata and Pardofelis badia.
Among the five species, the Pardofelis marmorata and Prionailurus bengalensis borneonsis closely resembled the Kiarsuii in terms of morphology.
To ensure the validity of this finding, researches from the Forest Department has implemented various genetic research especially DNA analysis to fully confirm the findings.