Endangered Asiatic Golden Cats Found in Vietnam

Endangered Asiatic golden cats found in Vietnam

HANOI, July 14 (Xinhua) — Some endangered Asiatic golden cats have just been discovered in Vietnam’s central Quang Binh province, according to the Vietnam News Agency Thursday.

The cats are found in the U Bo forest in the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, a World Heritage site in Vietnam. They are listed in the world’s Red Book as one of the most endangered species.

The Asiatic Golden Cat is a medium-sized wild cat with average length of 90 cm, plus 50-cm tail, and weight of 12-16 kg. In captivity, they can live up to 20 years, but their average lifespan in the wild is likely far shorter.

Covering more than 85,000 hectares, the park has 36 plant species and 89 animal species listed in Vietnam’s Red Book as endangered or protected.