Epic Effort To Find The Flat-Headed Cat In Thailand Records First Confirmed Sightings In Almost 30 Years

Flat-headed cats have been successfully detected and filmed in southern Thailand for the first time in almost 30 years. One of the world’s rarest cats, it was last documented here back in 1995, leading some to believe it was “possibly extinct”. However, conservationists thought otherwise.

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“We had heard reports for many years and were confident that the species was still present,” Rattapan Pattanarangsan, Conservation Program Manager for Panthera Thailand, told IFLScience. “What was needed was the right study design to confirm it.”

Using camera traps from Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and Panthera Thailand, a global wild cat conservation organization, the results yielded 13 detections in 2024, with a further 16 detections made in 2025. Most exciting of all was the photographic evidence of a female flat-headed cat with her cub, demonstrating the population is still reproducing.

 

“This is a landmark moment for Thailand and a powerful reflection of our long-standing commitment to conservation,” said Minister of Natural Resources and Environment for Thailand, Suchart Chomklin in a release emailed to IFLScience. 

“For decades, the flat-headed cat has been classified as ‘likely extinct,’ but after years of sustained protection, strong scientific partnerships, and community stewardship, we can now celebrate its return to Thailand this National Wildlife Day. The flat-headed cat’s resurgence is a well-timed reminder that when we safeguard our natural heritage, we safeguard our nation’s wild habitats and future.” 

Flat-headed cats are small, nocturnal, and prefer to occupy dense terrain. It makes searching for them in the wild very difficult, and even catching them on remote cameras is hard work. 

Researchers were able to identify suitable sites for camera placement, which ultimately led to the successful detection and photographic evidence of the flat-headed cat.

Rattapan Pattanarangsan

Using lessons learned from studying fishing cats, scientists with Panthera were able to identify the best sites for camera placement, leading to the first confirmed sighting in almost three decades.

“Camera traps had been deployed in the past, but they failed to detect the flat-headed cat,” said Pattanarangsan. “The key factor was the choice of deployment locations. Drawing on years of experience from fishing cat research, Panthera researchers were able to identify suitable sites for camera placement, which ultimately led to the successful detection and photographic evidence of the flat-headed cat.”

It’s estimated there are 2,500 flat-headed cats globally, and they are classed as endangered by the IUCN, but in Thailand they were considered “possibly extinct”. A new Panthera-led IUCN assessment is now expected in 2026, and Pattanarangsan says this new data demonstrates why we should be more open to investigating unconfirmed reports in the search for "lost species".

“This finding highlights the need to expand our efforts to other locations where reports and unconfirmed information suggest the presence of rare species. Many under-explored areas may still hold important populations and are awaiting focused research to reveal similar conservation successes.”