You certainly know how to get someone's attention! interestingly, to my limited knowledge all the Profelis aurata held in captivity since have been the nominate subspecies, with the exception of the most recent batch; as I understand it, Port Lympne held subspecific hybrids and a single P.a.celidogaster.
Considering the fact that this implies they got their animals breeding, it is a real shame they could not source more.
I only have seen a living African golden cat at Rotterdam Zoo in the 1980-ties. Zootierliste mention Rotterdam had the species from 1970 untill about 1988.
For Port Lympne Zootierliste says from 1982 till into the 2000's.
I only have seen a living African golden cat at Rotterdam Zoo in the 1980-ties. Zootierliste mention Rotterdam had the species from 1970 untill about 1988.
For Port Lympne Zootierliste says from 1982 till into the 2000's.
This is a curiously understudied animal. To my untrusting mind, a small cat with such a wide distribution and such apparent variation in markings might well involve more than one species, possibly in need of conservation measures. Somebody really ought to take a closer look.
This is a curiously understudied animal. To my untrusting mind, a small cat with such a wide distribution and such apparent variation in markings might well involve more than one species, possibly in need of conservation measures. Somebody really ought to take a closer look.
This photo certainly does seem to demonstrate the close kinship between this taxon and the Caracal and Serval - one of many matters which needs further investigation. Sadly, it rather seems that the wide distribution and relative commonness of the species means it is seen as a low priority