Tsushima Leopard Catツシマヤマネコ

Prionailurus bengalensisLC— Least Concern

The Tsushima leopard cat is a subspecies of leopard cat found only on Tsushima Island, Japan, isolated from the mainland Asian population for thousands of years. It hunts small mammals, birds, and fish at night and often frequents rice paddies near forest edges. With an estimated population of only around 70 to 100 individuals, it is listed as Critically Endangered on Japan's Red List.

Tsushima Leopard Cat (reference photo)
Photo: Pontafon / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Carnivora / Felidae Source
Distribution
The Tsushima leopard cat, a subspecies of the leopard cat found only on Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, was estimated at roughly 70 to 100 individuals in a 2010–2012 survey. Source

Did You Know?

  • It has white spots on the backs of its ears, a feature shared with the broader leopard cat species to which it belongs. Source
  • Since being listed as Critically Endangered on Japan's Red List in 1998, human-caused mortality such as vehicle collisions has been a major factor in the subspecies' decline. Source
  • A canal crossing Tsushima Island has split the population into northern and southern groups, raising concerns about reduced genetic diversity. Source

Where to See This Species

10 facilities · 0 individuals

横浜市立よこはま動物園 (Yokohama Shiritsu Yokohama Doubutsuen)KanagawaOpened in 1999

横浜市立よこはま動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

京都市動物園 (Kyoutoshi Doubutsuen)KyotoOpened in 1903

京都市動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

西海国立公園九十九島動植物園 (Saikaikokuritsu Kouen Kujuukushima Doushokubutsuen)NagasakiOpened in 1961

西海国立公園九十九島動植物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

富山市ファミリーパーク (Toyamashifamiri Park)ToyamaOpened in 1984

富山市ファミリーパークのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

福岡市動物園 (Fukuokashi Doubutsuen)FukuokaOpened in 1953

福岡市動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937

名古屋市東山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

沖縄こどもの国 (Okinawakodomonokuni)OkinawaOpened in 1970

ツシマヤマネコのWikipedia記事に飼育施設として記載 Source

熊本市動植物園 (Kumamotoshi Doushokubutsuen)Kumamoto市電「健軍行」で「動植物園入口」下車、徒歩10分。

ツシマヤマネコのWikipedia記事に飼育施設として記載 Source

盛岡市動物公園 (Moriokashi Doubutsu Kouen)IwateOpened in 1989

ツシマヤマネコのWikipedia記事に飼育施設として記載 Source

東京都井の頭自然文化園 (Toukyoutoinokashirashizenbunkaen)TokyoOpened in 1942

ツシマヤマネコのWikipedia記事に飼育施設として記載 Source

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

種全体のIUCN評価は低懸念（LC）。対馬の地域個体群は日本のレッドリストで極めて危機的な状況にある。

Habitat

対馬の森林、田畑、水辺が近接する環境。

Threats

  • 生息地の変化と分断
  • 交通事故
  • 感染症や外来のイエネコとの関係

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • 飼育下繁殖
  • 交通事故を減らす対策
  • 生息環境の保全と調査

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Where does the Tsushima leopard cat live?
It is found only on Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, and nowhere else in the wild. Source
How many Tsushima leopard cats remain in the wild?
A 2010–2012 survey estimated the wild population at roughly 70 to 100 individuals, and it is listed as Critically Endangered on Japan's Red List. Source
What is the biggest threat to Tsushima leopard cats?
Vehicle collisions are a major cause of death, and a canal dividing the island has split the population into two genetically isolated groups. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org