Endangered cats found in Lampung

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Conservationists recently discovered several endangered marble cats, Pardofelis marmorata, known locally as kucing marmer, in the Way Kambas National Park, Central Lampung, Antara reported yesterday.

The news agency quoted Eko Wardoyo, the head of the province's forestry department, as saying Tuesday that the marble cats were detected by an automatic camera installed in the park.

The discovery of the cats, which have black-spotted coats, had raised the number of endangered species in the park, he said.

The head of the Tanjungkarang conservation center for natural resources, Herjanto Wahyu Sukotjo, said marble cats could also be found in small numbers in Nepal, China and Malaysia.

The center is collecting data on the number and type of endangered species inhabiting the Way Kambas national park.

"We are working out a conservation program for the endangered animals," Herjanto added. (swe)