A rare predator, an Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii), has been caught on film in a national park in Thailand.

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The video shows an Asian golden cat, known as one of the rarest wild felines on the continent, which boasts a number of nicknames, including “fire tiger,” “rock cat,” and “yellow leopard.” Its official name is Temminck’s cat, after the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck, who was the first to describe the species. The animal in the footage was filmed in Khao Luang National Park, Thailand.

Rarely Seen Golden Hunters

For a long time, the Asian golden cat was thought to feed exclusively on rodents, but more and more is being learned about the lifestyle of this rare predator. We now know, among other things, that unlike its relatives, it is not a nocturnal animal, preferring to hunt during the day. It is an opportunistic predator, meaning it doesn’t only attack prey to satisfy hunger — in this way, it resembles our domestic cats.

Although it is named for its golden-colored fur, several color variations are known. In China, these different variations have their own names: the black ones are called “ink leopards,” while the spotted ones are known as “sesame leopards.”

A Threatened, Vulnerable Species

The population of this strictly protected large predator is estimated at around 7,000 individuals. It is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Despite its small numbers, it is still hunted by some, as legend has it that burning its fur or eating its meat will drive away tigers. According to the Karenni people, merely carrying a single hair from an Asian golden cat is enough to protect a person from tiger attacks.

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