Records of the Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata and the Asiatic Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) from the community forests surrounding the Dzükou Valley in Nagaland, India

Abstract

Northeastern India, situated within the Indo-Burma and eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot complex, is known for its high diversity of wild felid species. For most of these species, however, data on distribution and population trends are limited. Here, we present photographic records of the Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata and Asiatic Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii from outside protected areas in the state of Nagaland. These records are from community forests around the Dzükou Valley in Nagaland and are some of the few records of the species from the state. The confirmed presence of the two species highlights the pivotal role of community-managed forests in the conservation of endangered species in the region.

Keywords

• community-based conservation
• distribution
• felids
• northeastern india