Chat a téte plate

Wetland and lowland forest destruction and degradation is the primary threat faced by the species (Nowell and Jackson 1996, Wilting et al. 2010). Causes of this destruction include human settlement, forest transformation to plantations, draining for agriculture, pollution, and excessive hunting, wood-cutting and fishing. In addition, clearance of coastal mangroves over the past decade has been rapid in Tropical Asia. The depletion of fish stocks from over-fishing is prevalent in many Asian wetland environments and is likely to be a significant threat. Expansion of oil palm plantations is currently viewed as the most urgent threat (Wilting et al. 2010). Trapping, snaring and poisoning are also threats: E. Bennett (in Sunquist and Sunquist 2002) reported that skins were frequently seen in longhouses in the interior of Sarawak, and the Flat-headed Cat has been captured in traps set out to protect domestic fowl (Nowell and Jackson 1996).

Included on CITES Appendix I. The species is fully protected by national legislation over most parts of its range, with hunting and trade prohibited in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand (Nowell and Jackson 1996). It is currently not protected by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1984 in Brunei Darussalam. Wilting et al. (2010) and Wilting et al. (in revision) provide details about areas where this species has been recorded and also suggested key sites which should receive conservation priority. However, currently any further information about the status of any Flat-headed Cat population (population sizes and trends) is missing.