Today’s good news story comes from CBS. It was sent by Resa McConaghy. Thanks, Resa, for sharing
Elusive, endangered wild cat seen in Thailand for the first time in 30 years
An elusive wild cat long feared extinct in Thailand has been rediscovered three decades after the last recorded sighting, conservation authorities and an NGO said Friday.
Flat-headed cats are among the world’s most threatened wild felines, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature estimating that just 2,500 adults exist in the wild. The rare animals are about the size of a domestic cat and have distinctive, round, close-set eyes.
Flat-headed cats are found only in Southeast Asia and typically live in dense wetland ecosystems like peat swamps and freshwater mangroves. Such areas are under threat: Thailand’s peat swamp forests have been heavily fragmented, mainly due to land conversion and agricultural expansion, said veterinarian and researcher Kaset Sutasha of Kasetsart University. The last confirmed sighting of a flat-headed cat in Thailand was in 1995.
Last year, the wild cat conservation organization Panthera and Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation began an ecological survey using camera traps in the country’s Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary.
Flat-headed cats were detected 29 times during the survey, according to Panthera and Thai officials. It was not immediately clear how many individuals the detections represent, as the species lacks distinctive markings, so counting is tricky. Pattanarangsan said the survey’s findings suggest a relatively high concentration of the species.
The footage included a female flat-headed cat with her cub — a rare and encouraging sign for a species that typically produces only one offspring at a time. The species has also struggled to reproduce across isolated areas, contributing to its endangerment.
Kaset, who was not involved in the survey but has researched wild cats for years, said the “rediscovery is exciting” but is only a “starting point” for future conservation efforts.
“What comes after this is more important — how to enable them to live alongside us sustainably, without being threatened,” Kaset said.
In addition to Thailand, flat-headed cats can be found in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, according to the Felidae Conservation Fund. They have a diet dominated by fish, frogs, and shrimp, and are nocturnal, elusive animals.
“Much about the species remains a mystery because of their rarity and the difficulty of accessing their habitats,” Panthera conservation program manager Rattapan Pattanarangsan said.
The good news in this story is that once again Nature works to recover from human interference. Today’s JohnKu talks about recovery. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Reclamation by John W. Howell © 2025
Nature does the work,
To reclaim what could be lost. . .
By human neglect.
BREAK ANNOUNCEMENT – I will be off Saturday and Sunday so there will be no shenanigans with the coffee machine or views of the neighborhood. I’ll be back Monday.
Fiction Favorites 
What a wonderful share, John with extra thanks sent to Resa for bringing it to your attention!
Enjoy your weekend!
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Thank you, Dale. See you for Cheers.
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Wonderful!
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😊
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now, this IS good news. I love wild cats and it is always sad to think we’ve lost any species in Nature. Thanks, John.
Have a terrific weekend!
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Thank you, GP. I can identify with the guy in the GIF.😊
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Have never seen a flat headed cat, John, only a few flat cats in the street. Perfect JohnKu for this story. Enjoy the weekend.
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Thank you, Steve. I will enjoy it.
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It’s good to learn that people are concerned about the survival of these wild cats and they are naturally making a comeback. Have a good weekend, John.
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Thank you, Tim. I agree that it is a good thing that someone cares about these cats.
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Those cats are gorgeous. I hope the species survives and flourishes. Have a great weekend!
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I share your hope, Noelle. 😊wishing you a good weekend, too.
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It’s so cute! I hope they are able to learn more about it and protect them. Enjoy your week-end off!
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Thank you, Deborah.
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It’s so cute! I hope they’re able to learn more about them and help protect them. Enjoy your week-end!
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Thank you, Deborah. I hope you have a good one as well.
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Nature does its job once again, John. What a cute cat. It would be wonderful if they continue to make a comeback. Thanks to you and Resa for the good news!
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Thank you, Diana. 😀
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Nice pic 👍
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Cute. I think I’ve seen a few articles lately about extinct animals suddenly being found again. Wonder why that is.
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I think with trail cams, elusive species are being spotted.
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True. Better ocean depth exploration technology too. That or all the species went into hiding to plan their revenge against humanity, so we’re noticing the scouts.
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Ha ha ha. That’s funny.
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Great news about the cats, but darn. I am going to miss the coffee maker shenanigans!
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It won’t be long till next week. Thanks, Lois.
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An exciting discovery! Sure looks a precious and timid creature. Thank you for sharing some good nature news and a lovely weekend to you!
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Thank you, Michele. I hope your weekend is peaceful.
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So very kind. Thank you, John. 🕊️
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😊
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I would love to have one of these kitties! How wonderful that they are starting to be seen again after all this time. It is great to know that they are surviving, and I pray that they shall THRIVE!
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Well, you know the old nine lives theory. I think they are going to be fine. Thanks, Annette.
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Wonderful story and perfect Johnku! Have a great weekend, John!
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Thank you, Marie. 😊
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This says it all for me: “What comes after this is more important — how to enable them to live alongside us sustainably, without being threatened,” Kaset said. Have a good weekend, John!
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Yes. How to enable co-existence. Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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Yes, recovery, and your JohnKu says it well.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Those are some funky cool cats, and the numbers are heartening. Let’s hope this uptick becomes the norm.
Enjoy your weekend break Sheriff
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What a cutie…plus a feel good story about potential species recovery. Thanks for today’s post, John. Another winner!
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So glad you liked it, Monika. Made me feel good, too.😊
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It’s hard to believe that any animal species could go that many years without being seen. That reflects how few are left in the world.
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You are so right, Pete. Let’s hope there are more in the future.
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Wow that is a great and hopeful story. After 30 years means that there is a group of them large enough to have survived through multiple generations.
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It does mean that for sure. Thanks, Thomas. 😊
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Thanks for this, John. Hugs.
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🤗
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It’s always encouraging when endangered species start to reappear. Definitely good news, John! Thank you for sharing!
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I agree, Jan.
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Yahoo!
Nature will always rise to the top, in one form or another; in one way or another!
Thanks John, love the JohnKu and LOVE cats!
😺𝓧 😼𝓧 😽𝓧
Have a fab time off!
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Thank you for the article, Resa.t was a good one.
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OX – Thank you for running with it!
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😊X
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You, me and the cats win!
🏆🏆🏆
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Delightful 😀X
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😺X
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Beautiful cat. Fine share, Johny.
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Thank you, Patty.
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This is really cool, John. Thanks for sharing it.
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Glad you enjoyed it, Craig.
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I love cats, and that one is adorable. Happy news!
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