Letter to the Editor | Sightings of critically endangered & rare leopard cat in Singapore

Dear Editor,

I like to share an incredible sighting of a Rare and Critically Endangered “Leopard Cat” (Pionailurus bengalensis) in Singapore.

The estimated population of this rare Leopard Cat is less than 20 in Singapore mainland. The sightings have finally enabled me to tick a box on my bucket list, as I have at last managed to spot this rare animal after years of trying, and it is indeed a good new year wish for me.

The sightings occurred while I was searching for snakes at night, and I stumbled across the wild cat, much to my astonishment and disbelief.

It was bad timing as my camera was sent for servicing, and I had to use a mobile phone camera as a standby substitute.

Then the coincidence happened: An unexpected appearance of the “Leopard Cat” occurred. This cat behaved rather skittishly when it sensed my presence. Fortunately, I was fast enough to capture some shots as proof of its existence.

Before I could take a better shot of the wild cat, it dashed off into the thick undergrowth and disappeared into the dark.