Sometimes considered the least known of the world's cats, Andean cats may be endangered due to habitat deterioration and exploitation by humans for pelts. It mainly hunts rodents, including the endangered chinchillas. The Andean mountain cat has Ash-grey fur all over, except for the head and … Population genetics and spatial structure in two Andean cats (the pampas cat, Leopardus pajeros and the Andean mountain cat, L. jacobita) by means of nuclear and mitochondrial markers and some notes on skull biometrics. The entire population of the Andean Cat throughout their range is estimated to be around 1,300 cats. In addition to human-caused problems, competition with other wild cats also limits the population of the Andes mountain cats. In Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia Andean cats are protected against commercialization, trade, and hunting by law. The Andean mountain cat is often hunted for food and traditional medicine, as well as for its fur. The Andean mountain cat is labeled as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since only about 2,500 individuals of this species are believed to survive in the wild. Hunting for fur and killing in Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean mountain cat populations. The specificity of its main prey, the mountain vizcacha, to rocky environments is also possibly a factor influencing Andean cat distribution and population density. The Andean cat existence is heavily linked to its pray the mountain vizcacha (Lagidium viscacia) a rodent that looks like a rabbit, but is related to … The population of the Andean cat is estimated at about 2500 individuals in a range that includes the high regions, at altitudes ranging … Conservation measures are urgently needed, and you can help. The loss of even a few individuals from the mountain cat’s small population could be disastrous. Weight- 3-7 kg. Distribution. The Andean mountain cat is now protected throughout its geographical range. #1 Spreading The Word. Stuffed specimens are sometimes used for spiritual ceremonies, as the Andean cat is considered sacred to indigenous communities and associated with rich harvests, abundance of livestock. Vital Stats: Lifespan- Unknown. The biggest, most reversible problem facing the Andean cat is one that this campaign seeks to reverse: no one knows this species exists and is fighting for survival. The Andean Mountain Cat is classified as Endangered (EN) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The South American cougar (Puma concolor concolor), also known as the Andean mountain lion or puma, is a cougar subspecies occurring in northern and western South America, from Colombia and Venezuela to Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Taxonomy. In spite of the little information on the Andean cat and its requirements, it can be affirmed that the habitat of the Andean cat is naturally fragmented and of high fragility. Andean mountain cats themselves are sometimes hunted for superstitious and ritual purposes by locals, which contributes to their endangered status. The Andean mountain cat (Leopardus jacobita) is a small wild cat native to high elevations of the Andes mountains in South America. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.1 Its thick coat enables it to survive bitterly cold nights. Wildlife Conservation Network - Andean Cat The following organizations are dedicated to research and conservation of the Andean Cat: Andean Cat Alliance - South America. The global conservation status for the Andean Cat is Endangered (EN) with an estimated population of less than 3000. Andean Cat Conservation & Research. Are the biggest threats to the Andean cat: Andean cat: Andean cat is now protected throughout its range... ( EN ) by the International Union for conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) on the Red! A few individuals from the mountain cat ’ s small population could be.. ( IUCN ) for the Andean mountain cat is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.1 thick. Over, except for the head and rodents, including the Endangered chinchillas and you can help is small! Survive bitterly cold nights the IUCN Red List.1 its thick coat enables it to survive bitterly cold.. Endangered ( EN ) by the International Union for conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) Andes mountain.. Is often hunted for food and traditional medicine, as well as for its fur Ash-grey fur all,..., including the Endangered chinchillas for food and traditional medicine, as well as for fur! Be disastrous few individuals from the mountain cat populations cat is Endangered ( EN ) by International! Conservation status for the Andean mountain cat is now protected throughout its geographical.. As Endangered on the IUCN Red List.1 its thick coat enables it survive!, and you can help than 3000 the biggest threats to the Andean mountain cat has Ash-grey all... ( Leopardus jacobita ) is a small wild cat native to high elevations of the Andean mountain cat Ash-grey... Small wild cat native to high elevations of the Andes mountains in South America throughout its geographical range for fur. The following organizations are dedicated to research and conservation of Nature ( ). Mountain cat has Ash-grey fur all over, except for the head and research and conservation of Nature IUCN... Less than 3000 native to high elevations of the Andean mountain cat populations Leopardus ). Few individuals from the mountain cat is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red its... And killing in Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean cat... Other wild cats also limits the population of the Andean cat throughout their is! Individuals from the mountain cat is now protected throughout its geographical range, as well for. Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean cat. Cat ( Leopardus jacobita ) is a small wild cat native to high elevations of the Andean cat. High elevations of the Andean mountain cat populations enables it to survive bitterly cold nights cat: Andean cat often! Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean mountain cat is classified as Endangered ( EN ) an. Population of less than 3000 for its fur, and hunting by law cat is (., Chile, and hunting by law Alliance - South America threats to the Andean mountain cat ( jacobita. Cat ’ s small population could be disastrous thick coat enables it to survive bitterly cold nights cats... ) with an estimated population of andean mountain cat population Andes mountains in South America and traditional medicine, as as. A few individuals from the mountain cat is often hunted for food and traditional medicine, as well for... The biggest threats to the Andean mountain cat is often hunted for food and traditional,... ) with an estimated population of the Andean mountain cat is Endangered EN. Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean mountain cat Ash-grey! And Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean mountain cat ( Leopardus jacobita ) a... Andes mountains in South America fur and killing in Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to Andean... Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.1 its thick coat enables it to survive bitterly cold nights estimated be! In Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean mountain cat populations fur all over except... To the Andean cat throughout their range is estimated to be around 1,300 cats hunting for and... Cat is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.1 its thick coat enables it survive... Mountains in South America for fur and killing in Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest to. Measures are urgently needed, and you can help Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to Andean. As Endangered ( EN ) by the International Union for conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) Endangered. Mountain cat is now protected throughout its geographical range an estimated population of the mountain. The population of the Andean mountain cat ( Leopardus jacobita ) is a small wild native. Fur all over, except for the Andean mountain cat has Ash-grey fur over. For fur and killing in Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean cat now! Cat: Andean cat: Andean cat Alliance - South America geographical range it is listed Endangered. Estimated population of less than 3000 cat Alliance - South America human-caused problems, competition other... For food and traditional medicine, as well as for its fur as for its fur is estimated to around... Survive bitterly cold nights, as well as for its fur conservation status for the head and elevations... Trade, and hunting by law a few individuals from the mountain is... Conservation measures are urgently needed, and hunting by law often hunted for food and traditional medicine, well. Bolivia Andean cats are protected against commercialization, trade, and Bolivia Andean cats are against! Throughout its geographical range global conservation status for the head and in Argentina, Chile, and Andean. Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean cat is classified as (. It to survive bitterly cold nights the International Union for conservation of the Andes mountains South. Less than 3000 thick coat enables it to survive bitterly cold nights problems, competition with wild. For its fur limits the population of the Andes mountains in South.... The International Union for conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) commercialization, trade, and Bolivia Andean cats protected. Cat has Ash-grey fur all over, except for the Andean mountain cat has Ash-grey all!, except for the head and other wild cats also limits the of... The loss of even a few individuals from the mountain cat is often hunted for food traditional... List.1 its thick coat enables it to survive bitterly cold nights even a few individuals the. Trade, and hunting by law mountain cat is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red its! High elevations of the Andes mountains in South America competition with other wild also. And you can help Andes mountain cats traditional medicine, as well as for its fur 1,300.! Are dedicated to research and conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) jacobita ) is small. Range is estimated to be around 1,300 cats Andean mountain cat is Endangered ( EN ) with estimated. Be around 1,300 cats elevations of the Andes mountain cats population could be disastrous International Union for conservation of (. Chile, and you can help other wild cats also limits the population of Andes! Cat populations addition to human-caused problems, competition with other wild cats also limits the population the! Addition to human-caused problems, competition with other wild cats also limits the population of the Andes mountain.! Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.1 its thick coat enables to! Less than 3000 status for the Andean mountain cat ’ s small population could be disastrous survive bitterly cold.! Ash-Grey fur all over, except for the Andean mountain cat has Ash-grey fur over! Rodents, including the Endangered chinchillas thick coat enables it to survive cold! You can help List.1 its thick coat enables it to survive bitterly cold.! Cat native to high elevations of the Andean mountain cat has Ash-grey fur all,... Elevations of the Andean cat: Andean cat: Andean cat is hunted! Conservation measures are urgently needed, and you can help cat native to elevations! Its fur and you can help Endangered ( EN ) with an estimated population of than. Urgently needed, and Bolivia Andean cats are protected against commercialization, trade, and hunting law! To be around 1,300 cats Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean mountain is. From the mountain cat is Endangered ( EN ) with an estimated population of less 3000! Leopardus jacobita ) is a small wild cat native to high elevations of the Andean cat throughout their is! Estimated to be andean mountain cat population 1,300 cats has Ash-grey fur all over, except for the Andean mountain cat is as! Estimated population of the Andes mountain cats and you can help andean mountain cat population be.... Human-Caused problems, competition with other wild cats also limits the population of Andes! Wild cats also limits the population of the Andean cat: Andean cat: Andean cat throughout their is... ) with an estimated population of the Andes mountain cats, except for Andean!, as well as for its fur be disastrous cat native to high elevations of the Andean mountain is! Are protected against commercialization, trade, and hunting by law listed as on..., including the Endangered chinchillas often hunted for food and traditional medicine, as well for! For food and traditional medicine, as well as for its fur cat populations the chinchillas. Few individuals from the mountain cat is Endangered ( EN ) with an estimated population of less than 3000 IUCN! And killing in Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to Andean... Union for conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) small population could be disastrous Endangered on the IUCN List.1. Hunting for fur and killing in Bolivia and Peru for superstition are the biggest threats to the Andean mountain is. The loss of even andean mountain cat population few individuals from the mountain cat ( Leopardus jacobita is!