Black Footed Cat Research Project

Have you ever wondered how scientists learn about wild animals so they can pass the information on in books or movies? The answer is by studying them in their native habitat, gathering data on their ecology, behaviour, ranges, prey species and many more details. Field research projects on any species are challenging, but when you're studying the smallest wild cat in the world, who lives in the harsh climate of southern Africa, it's even more difficult.

The International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC) Canada is a non profit group working for the conservation of the smaller wild cat species. They are currently fund raising for the smallest of all wild cats - the black-footed cat of southern Africa. This is a rare opportunity for you to contribute directly to the conservation of the smallest wild cat, and we urge you to participate. Help scientists understand what this tiniest of wild cats needs to survive for future generations.  

These tiny little wild cats weigh just 2-5 pounds (1-2.4 kg) and live in only three countries of southern Africa: Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. They are found primarily in short to medium length grass plains, scrub desert, and sand plains, including the Kalahari and Karoo Deserts. You can help researchers learn more about these tenacious little wild cats, and what they need to survive.

Many of the small wild cats lead lives virtually unknown to science. Prior to the first field study on Black-footed cats (1993), most of the species knowledge was based on folklore. Dr. Alex Sliwa has spent thousands of hours studying these tiny felines, and his findings have not only improved husbandry for captive cats, but also gathered valuable data on their ecology. Along the way, he has exploded many of the myths found in the literature on these cats.

MYTH: These tiny cats kill sheep or even giraffe by piercing their jugular veins. FACT: Rodents weighing up to 100 grams make up the bulk of their diet. On occasion they kill hares or birds the size of a chicken, which constitutes the upper limit of their prey size.

MYTH: Studies of captive cats do not like to climb and are poor jumpers. FACT: They readily climb trees and fence posts to look for bird's nests, but generally there is too little food in the trees compared to rodents and birds nesting on the ground at night. They also make frequent jumps of up to 2 metres long and 1.5 metres high after flying birds

MYTH: Studies of captive cats suggest they frequently dig for their prey. FACT: Prey animals in the study area were so plentiful year round and the ground so hard the cats were never seen digging. They do try to scrape sand and grass over prey items to large to consume in one sitting.

Dr. Sliwa came to understand how local people have such respect for these little cats; they don't shy away from biting and stinging prey like scorpions and snakes; he's seen a cat jump with bared claws and fangs into the fact of a black-backed jackal, an animal 8 times the size of the cat; they stalk springbok lambs, blue cranes and even bigger birds. Experiences convinced him that pound for pount, these tenacious little cats are as bold and fierce as their reputation suggests.

Many questions have been answered, but there is still much to be learned about Black-footed cats. Dr. Sliwa and his team are returning to the field in 2008, focusing on new locations in South Africa, and seeking answers to the following questions: 

• how closely related are the cats of one area
• what is the survival rate of the kittens
• where do kittens go once they're adults
• when do they start breeding
• what age do they reach in the wild

You can help the Black-footed cats by donating today through the International Society for Endangered Cats Canada. All funds received go directly to the research project.

For more details see International Society for Endangered Cats  or their Black-footed cat fact sheet 

Photos copyright to the researchers, and not to be reproduced for commercial purposes.