Bay cat (Catopuma badia): facts, habitat & status

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Endangered

Bay cat at a glance

The bay cat (Catopuma badia) is a mammal in the family Felidae. Range in Indonesia: Kalimantan (endemic to Borneo). Diet: unstudied; rodents and treeshrews recorded; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Endangered. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).

Quick facts: Bay cat
Scientific name	Catopuma badia
Indonesian name	Kucing merah
Group	Mammals
Family	Felidae
Range in Indonesia	Kalimantan (endemic to Borneo)
Linked habitats	Tropical Rainforests
Diet	Unstudied; rodents and treeshrews recorded
Range in Indonesia	Kalimantan, mainly interior hill forest
Key feature	Rusty-red or grey coat, rounded ears, long tail
Weight	About 3–4 kg (estimate)
Other names	Bornean bay cat, kucing merah kalimantan
IUCN status	Endangered · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026
Legal protection in Indonesia	Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 52
Diet type	Carnivore (meat-eater) — predator of small animals; prey recorded so far are rodents and treeshrews (Tupaia); its diet has never been studied · Mongabay Indonesia
Reproduction	Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · Animal Diversity Web
Active	Diurnal (active by day) · HOSCAP Borneo

In this guide (11)

About this guideCompiled and checked against the listed sources; not yet reviewed by a specialist.

What is the bay cat?

The bay cat (Catopuma badia) is a small wild cat found only on the island of Borneo and is among the least known wild cats in the world. According to Hearn and colleagues (2016), only 12 museum specimens exist, and it is thought to weigh about 3–4 kg.

Its coat is rusty red (bay) or grey, and some grey animals have reddish extremities. Dark individuals have also been reported. Mongabay Indonesia describes rounded ears, a slender back and a long tail. The bay cat shares its genus with the Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii); both are listed side by side in the annex to Regulation P.106/2018.

Evidence: Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Suppl. 33 — Hearn et al. (2016), Predicted distribution of the bay cat Catopuma badia (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) on Borneo (PDF via HOSCAP Borneo) ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia (2026) — Kucing Merah Kalimantan Kembali Terekam Kamera, Bawa Mangsa di Kayan Mentarang ↗ · JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Lampiran Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗

Where does the bay cat live?

The bay cat lives only on Borneo: in Indonesian Kalimantan and in Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia. Hearn and colleagues (2016) gathered 71 records from every part of Borneo except Brunei and South Kalimantan.

Records come from lowland and hill dipterocarp forest, both primary and selectively logged, as well as swamp forest and mangrove. Habitat modelling predicts interior Borneo, especially hill forest, to be most suitable, while oil palm plantations are unsuitable. Kayan Mentarang National Park in North Kalimantan is rated one of the most important areas. A bay cat was also filmed in peat-swamp forest in the Rungan landscape, Central Kalimantan, in 2016.

Evidence: Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Suppl. 33 — Hearn et al. (2016), Predicted distribution of the bay cat Catopuma badia (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) on Borneo (PDF via HOSCAP Borneo) ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia (2023) — Kucing Merah, Antara Ada dan Tiada di Hutan Kalimantan ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia (2017) — Kucing Merah Itu Terekam Kamera di Hutan Kalimantan Tengah ↗

What does the bay cat eat?

The bay cat's diet has never been studied directly. Hearn and colleagues (2016) wrote that nothing is known about its diet, mating behaviour or use of space.

The latest clue comes from Kayan Mentarang National Park. A camera-trap photo released in September 2026 shows a bay cat carrying prey in its mouth. According to Jefrey Frihardian Gumilar, a forest ecosystem officer at the park, the prey was most likely a striped treeshrew (Tupaia dorsalis), and the prey known so far are rodents and treeshrews. Older claims that it eats monkeys or carrion are not backed by checkable research.

How does the bay cat behave?

The bay cat is solitary, highly secretive and tends to avoid people, so it is known almost entirely from camera traps. Hearn and colleagues (2016) describe it as mainly active by day, though not strictly so.

Many records come from near rivers and wetlands, but it is unclear whether that reflects a habitat preference or simply that researchers travel by river. According to Mongabay Indonesia, scientists estimate its generation length at about six years, while its gestation and lifespan in the wild are unknown. A 2023 record in Kayan Mentarang drew attention because it came after more than 20 years without new documentation there.

Why is the bay cat endangered?

The bay cat is Endangered because it depends on forest while Borneo's forests keep shrinking. Hearn and colleagues (2016) also cite demand from international animal dealers as a threat.

It has never been recorded in camera-trap surveys of oil palm plantations in Sabah, which supports the view that it needs forest. Its population size is unknown. Mongabay Indonesia quotes an IUCN Cat Specialist Group estimate of about 2,200 mature individuals, but that figure rests only on an assumed density of one animal per 100 km². Erwin Wilianto of SINTAS Indonesia notes that most records are by-catch from surveys of other animals.

How can the bay cat be protected?

The bay cat is legally protected: the annex to Regulation P.106/2018 lists it as entry 52. It is also on CITES Appendix II, so international trade is regulated.

The key to its survival is keeping Borneo's interior hill forests, including Kayan Mentarang and Betung Kerihun national parks and the Müller Mountains that link them. Do not catch, keep or trade wild cats. If you photograph a bay cat, do not post its exact location on social media; researchers themselves withhold locations to prevent poaching. Report sightings to the local BKSDA (conservation office) or national park office.

Evidence: JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Lampiran Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗ · Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Suppl. 33 — Hearn et al. (2016), Predicted distribution of the bay cat Catopuma badia (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) on Borneo (PDF via HOSCAP Borneo) ↗ · Mongabay Indonesia (2017) — Kucing Merah Itu Terekam Kamera di Hutan Kalimantan Tengah ↗

Explore related habitats

These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.

Scientific classification of the Bay cat

Scientific classification from kingdom to species
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Felidae
Genus	Catopuma
Species	Catopuma badia

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).

Common questions about the bay cat

What is the scientific name of the bay cat?

The scientific name of the bay cat is Catopuma badia, in the family Felidae. In Indonesian it is called Kucing merah.

What kind of animal is the bay cat?

The bay cat is a mammal in the family Felidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a predator of small animals; prey recorded so far are rodents and treeshrews (Tupaia); its diet has never been studied.

Where does the bay cat live in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, this guide records the bay cat in: Kalimantan (endemic to Borneo).

Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.

What does the bay cat eat?

Diet of the bay cat: unstudied; rodents and treeshrews recorded. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: Mongabay Indonesia.

How does the bay cat reproduce?

The bay cat reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Is the bay cat nocturnal?

No. The bay cat is diurnal (active by day). Not strictly diurnal. Older sources call it nocturnal, but more recent camera-trap records catch it mostly by day. Source: HOSCAP Borneo.

What are the main features of the bay cat?

Key features of the bay cat, from this guide’s sources: Key feature: rusty-red or grey coat, rounded ears, long tail; Weight: about 3–4 kg (estimate).

What is the scientific classification of the bay cat?

Scientific classification of the bay cat: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Felidae, genus Catopuma, species Catopuma badia.

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

Is the bay cat endangered?

Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the bay cat is listed as Endangered: it is considered to face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the bay cat protected in Indonesia?

Is the bay cat protected in Indonesia?

Yes. The bay cat (Catopuma badia) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 52).

Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.

If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.

Can the bay cat be kept as a pet?

No. Because the bay cat is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.

If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.

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Sources & references

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.

Cite this page

PanduanHewan. (2026, 1 October). Bay cat (Catopuma badia). PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/bay-cat/

Bay cat

Bay cat at a glance

What is the bay cat?

Where does the bay cat live?

What does the bay cat eat?

How does the bay cat behave?

Why is the bay cat endangered?

How can the bay cat be protected?

Explore related habitats

Scientific classification of the Bay cat

Common questions about the bay cat

What is the scientific name of the bay cat?

What kind of animal is the bay cat?

Where does the bay cat live in Indonesia?

What does the bay cat eat?

How does the bay cat reproduce?

Is the bay cat nocturnal?

What are the main features of the bay cat?

What is the scientific classification of the bay cat?

Is the bay cat endangered?

Is the bay cat protected in Indonesia?

Can the bay cat be kept as a pet?

Compare with similar animals

Sources & references

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