Status and Population Trends for Wild Cats

Species200820152019Trend
African Golden CatNear ThreatenedVulnerableVulnerableDecreasing
Black-footed CatVulnerableVulnerableVulnerableDecreasing
CheetahVulnerableVulnerableVulnerableDecreasing
Chinese Mtn Catn/an/aVulnerableDecreasing
Clouded LeopardVulnerableVulnerableVulnerableDecreasing
Fishing CatEndangeredEndangeredVulnerableDecreasing
Kodkod (Guigna)VulnerableVulnerableVulnerableDecreasing
LeopardNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedVulnerableDecreasing
Sunda Clouded LeopVulnerableVulnerableVulnerableDecreasing
LionVulnerableVulnerableVulnerableDecreasing
Snow LeopardEndangeredEndangeredVulnerableDecreasing
Asiatic Golden CatNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedDecreasing
JaguarNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedDecreasing
Marbled CatVulnerableVulnerableNear ThreatenedDecreasing
MargayNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedDecreasing
Pallas' Cat (Manul)Near ThreatenedNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedDecreasing
Pampas Cat Near ThreatenedNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedDecreasing
Rusty-spotted CatVulnerableVulnerableNear ThreatenedDecreasing
BobcatLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernStable
Canada LynxLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernStable
CaracalLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernUnknown
Eurasian LynxLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernStable
Geoffroy's CatNear ThreatenedLeast ConcernLeast ConcernStable
JaguarundiLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernDecreasing
Jungle CatLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernDecreasing
Leopard CatLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernStable
OcelotLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernDecreasing
Puma (Cougar)Least ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernDecreasing
Sand CatNear ThreatenedNear ThreatenedLeast ConcernUnknown
ServalLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernStable
WildcatLeast ConcernLeast ConcernLeast ConcernDecreasing
Andean CatEndangeredEndangeredEndangeredDecreasing
Bay CatEndangeredEndangeredEndangeredDecreasing
Flat-headed CatEndangeredEndangeredEndangeredDecreasing
Iberian LynxCritically EndangeredEndangeredEndangeredIncreasing
TigerEndangeredEndangeredEndangeredDecreasing

Status criteria in order of severity:

  1. Data Deficient
  2. Least Concern
  3. Near Threatened
  4. Vulnerable
  5. Endangered
  6. Critically Endangered

Source: World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List 2015

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15 Responses

  1. Em

    Poaching and habitat loss makes me sick knowing these beautiful big cats are losing their numbers. It keeps me up all night worrying about them… I hope all big cats will eventually increase in populations because they deserve freedom and solitude…

  2. Pat Bumstead

    There have been very few changes since this table was written. I just updated the Lion and the Snow Leopard but other than that, every other cat status is the same. Thanks for the reminder to update!

  3. Alex Brewer

    Will there be any future updates to this info? Just curious.

  4. Pat Bumstead

    There is not, but that is an excellent idea! We’ll search out the numbers and add a table for that to this page. Thanks for the idea.

  5. Richard Hatakeyama

    Is there a single table with the estimated numbers of animals of each species in the wild?

  6. Pat Bumstead

    I believe there has been a slight rise in tiger numbers overall. The tiger population in India has increased to around 4,000 but unfortunately the human-tiger conflict there has increased as well.

  7. h.wright

    What a great shame most of the big cats are declining, does not show much hope for the future. I thought the tiger population had increased slightly in the last few years?

  8. admin

    Thank you for your comment, and very well said. As a species, the Wildcat (Felis sylvestris)is classed as Least Concern, but there are many endangered subspecies. The Scottish Wildcats are in the most serious danger though, and 2013 may very well decide their future.

  9. Ron Bury

    The Scottish Wildcat (Felis sylvestris grampia) is critically endangered following decades of habitat destruction and persecution. In fact it could be one of the most at risk wildcats worldwide.

    It is only recently that efforts are being made to protect the future of this animal. This is way overdue and hopefully not too late as its genetic integrity is being progressively compromised by inbreeding with feral and domestic cats.

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