The Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata) is one of Asia’s most enigmatic small wild cats, adapted to life in dense, structurally complex forests. With its long tail, clouded markings, and semi-arboreal habits, it occupies a niche similar to that of the Clouded Leopard, though on a smaller scale.

Despite occurring across a broad swath of South and Southeast Asia, the Marbled Cat remains rarely observed and poorly studied. Recent assessments and field projects, particularly in the eastern Himalaya, underscore both the species’ ecological significance and its growing conservation challenges.

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What are the Threats to Marbled Cats?

The dominant threat facing Marbled Cats is habitat loss and degradation, driven by one of the world’s fastest rates of tropical deforestation. Across Southeast Asia and parts of the eastern Himalaya, forests are being cleared or fragmented for logging, agriculture, plantations (oil palm, rubber, coffee), infrastructure development, and human settlement (IUCN CatSG). Even selectively logged forests may become unsuitable due to reduced canopy connectivity, which is critical for this semi-arboreal species.

The Marbled Cat also appears to be highly sensitive to human disturbance. It is rarely recorded near settlements and shows strong avoidance of areas with frequent human activity. As a result, roads, small-scale agriculture, and forest edge effects can dramatically reduce effective habitat even where forest cover remains.

Hunting and snaring represent an additional and often underestimated threat. Although Marbled Cats are not commonly targeted for international trade, they are frequently caught in indiscriminate wire snares set for other wildlife. In parts of northeastern India, including the Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, community surveys have documented hunting of Marbled Cats for meat, traditional medicine, and cultural practices (IUCN CatSG). Fur, bones, and meat are locally valued in some areas, increasing pressure on already sparse populations.

Who is Conserving Marbled Cats?

Conservation of the Marbled Cat is largely integrated into broader small wild cat and forest conservation initiatives, rather than species-specific recovery programs. The IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group (CatSG) plays a central role by maintaining the Red List assessment, synthesizing research, and promoting conservation priorities across the species’ range (IUCN CatSG).

The Clouded Leopard Partners network supports research, capacity building, and conservation action for forest-dependent felids in Asia, including Marbled Cats, particularly where they coexist with Clouded Leopards. Their work emphasizes landscape-level conservation, protected area connectivity, and reducing human–wildlife conflict.

A particularly important initiative is the Eastern Himalaya Marbled Cat Project, led by local conservationists and supported by international partners. Active in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and neighboring regions, this project combines camera-trap research, community engagement, and cultural conservation (see below). By working with village councils and Community Conservation Areas, the project addresses hunting pressure, promotes coexistence, and builds local stewardship for small wild cats—an approach increasingly recognized as essential in northeastern India, where much forest land is community-managed.

Additional contributions come from organizations such as WWF-India, which has documented Marbled Cats at extreme elevations during high-altitude biodiversity surveys, and from zoos and conservation NGOs that provide funding, technical support, and training for local researchers.

Marbled Cat Conservation News

Below are some of the recent reports from the Eastern Himalayan Marbled Cat Project included in the monthly SWCCF newsletter:

Dedicating the world's first Community Conserved Area on behalf of the Asiatic Golden Cat

by Giri Malla, India, Eastern Himalayan Marbled Cat Project

June 2026

Giri Malla and his team have done it again. Working closely with the indigenous people of Bamsiakilwa village, Peren district, in the Indian state of Nagaland, the Daukeling Hebamlo Community Conserved Area was created specifically to protect the Asiatic golden cat.  You can see the statue of the Asiatic golden cat standing on the rock in the center of the above picture.  Giri Malla is shown with the red and black shawl over his left shoulder.

Speaking at the dedication, Dr. C. Zupeni Tsanglai, wildlife warden, Dimapur division, called attention to all four species of small cats found locally (Asiatic golden cat, Clouded leopard, Leopard cat, Marbled cat), stressing the need to conserve them as well as protect forests that sustain biodiversity and people. Dr, Tsangtai remined everyone that healthy forests provide ecosystem services such as clean air, freshwater, and help to maintain an ecological balance that promotes climate resilience, all at no cost.  Today's healthy forests promote tomorrow's healthy communities.

Village chairman Pauka (third from right standing) urged villagers to stop hunting and conserve the Asiatic Golden cat and other wildlife within the Community Conservation Area. Community leaders repeated the importance of preserving forests for future generations and promised to enforce strict conservation recommendations, including a ban on hunting and disturbance of wildlife within the Community Conservation Area.

With help from the Eastern Himalayas Marbled Cat Project, the creation of yet another community protected reserve by an indigenous group reflects the growing role of indigenous and local communities in wildlife conservation across Nagaland and Northeast India, standing as a strong example of how community participation and local leadership can contribute meaningfully to biodiversity protection and climate resilience" as well as their own prosperity.

Here's a link to a Mongabay article about another of our projects that protects Marbled cats.  Small cats are our flagship species, but the community reserves protect all species.

I wish to thank all SWCCF'S generous financial partners who support our efforts in this new frontier of NE India.

Visit the Eastern Himalaya Marbled Cat Project

Construction begins for enclosures at Nagaland Zoological Park and Itanagar Zoological Park 

by Giri Malla, India, Eastern Himalayan Marbled Cat Project

February 2026

The above photograph might not look like much, but it's a start.  The Nagaland Zoological Park has begun construction work, and the required materials have been ordered. The zoo has allocated a spacious area specifically for our enclosure, which will serve as a rescue center for future Clouded leopards and other small wild cats.

According to the latest estimates from the workers and zoo authorities, construction is expected to be completed by the first week of April.  Key materials such as the nine gauge wire mesh and iron rods have already been ordered and are expected to be delivered by the end of February.  In the meantime, the Director has initiated fencing and cement-related work to ensure steady progress.

I also visited Itanagar Zoological Park last week and met with the Zoo Director. They are currently preparing for ground clearance and have begun construction work for the new Marbled cat enclosure. The Deputy Ranger had overestimated the budget; however, and after further discussion, several components were revised and streamlined.

As construction proceeds at both zoological parks, I will provide our financial partners with updates.

Visit the Eastern Himalaya Marbled Cat Project

World's First Community Conserved Area for Marbled Cat

by Giri Malla, India, Eastern Himalayan Marbled Cat Project

November 2025

We have an exciting update to share!  Our team at Eastern Himalayan Marbled Cat Project (EHMCP), together with the members of the Lokpeng Welfare Society (LWS) in Lokpeng Village, Arunachal Pradesh, have come together to declare and protect their Hiiung-Hiieng community forest as the first Community Conserved Area for Marbled Cats in India.

The declaration of Hiiung-Hiieng as the first Community Conserved Area for Marbled Cats marks a significant milestone in community-led conservation in India and for our project.  This is first-of-its-kind community conserved area specifically created to protect Marbled cats in India and the world.

This was all done and made possible by Anand Goi, who was supported by a Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) Internship in Arunachal Pradesh in 2024.  Anand transformed his village after becoming an independent conservationist and changing his community.

Our entire team in NE India thanks WCN for enabling Anand to do what at first seemed unimaginable: Conserve an area whose flagship species is the small but stunningly beautiful Marbled cat, a wild cat so secretive not a single villager ever recalled seeing one.  These news articles Arunachal Observer and EastMojo call attention to our efforts that have only just begun.

Visit the Eastern Himalaya Marbled Cat Project

Previous Newsletters

June 2025: Community-based conservation to conserve small wild cats in Meghalaya, NE India

May 2025: Community Conservation in Nagaland, NE India - Eastern Himalaya Marbled Cat Project