In a groundbreaking discovery, images of an Asian golden cat were recently captured at an astounding elevation within the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve in Metog county, Xizang autonomous region. The infrared footage, recorded at an elevation of 4,415 meters, has set a new record, surpassing the previous highest sighting at 4,300 meters in Lhari county, Nagchu, Xizang.
The Asian golden cat, classified as a first-class national protected wild species, has earned the near-threatened status on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List. This elusive feline species has seen a notable decline in its global population due to factors such as habitat loss and fragmentation.
Li Cheng, an expert on the Asian golden cat from the Xizijiang Ecological Conservation Center, highlighted the recent sightings of these cats in various regions of China, including southeastern Xizang, western Sichuan, western and southern Yunnan, southern Gansu, and southern Shaanxi over the past two years. He emphasized that the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon region currently hosts a relatively large population of these magnificent creatures.
Moreover, the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon area boasts remarkable diversity in the color variations of the Asian golden cat. Li Cheng stated, “At present, at least six color variations have been recorded, including tawny, reddish-brown, deep red, marbled, gray, and black. The genetic diversity here is relatively well preserved.”
Director Zhao Xiang of the Shan Shui Conservation Center, a non-governmental organization dedicated to species conservation, detailed the infrared camera footage, describing an adult Asian golden cat surveying the ridgeline of a high-altitude meadow before gracefully passing in front of the camera.
Li Cheng highlighted that Asian golden cats typically inhabit tropical and subtropical forests. However, the recent discovery at elevations exceeding 4,000 meters challenges traditional expectations, as this altitude is more commonly associated with the domain of snow leopards rather than the preferred habitat for Asian golden cats.
“The discovery of the Asian golden cat at such a high altitude not only enhances our understanding of their behavior but also indicates their broad range of activity and good adaptability,” Li Cheng added.
The research efforts have been a collaborative initiative between the forestry and grassland bureau of Metog county, the Shan Shui Conservation Center, the Peking University Center for Nature Conservation and Social Development, and the Xizijiang Ecological Conservation Center. Supported by the China Green Carbon Foundation and the Zhongjin Public Welfare Foundation, the research team deployed 304 infrared cameras, documenting over 300 instances of Asian golden cat activity at 105 locations with elevations ranging from 812 to 4,415 meters. This groundbreaking discovery promises to expand our knowledge of these fascinating creatures and underscores the importance of ongoing conservation efforts to protect their habitats.
