Malaysia: Leopard cat found dead near its natural habitat

New Straits Times 17 Jan 12;

KUALA PILAH: A dead leopard cat was found lying on the Bukit Putus stretch of the Seremban-Kuala Pilah road yesterday.

Wildlife and National Parks Department officers who arrived at the scene said the animal was a 3kg female leopard cat measuring about 0.5m long.

"I spotted the carcass at 11.45am and stopped my car to move it to the side. I then contacted the Wildlife and National Parks Department and told them that a leopard cat had been run over," said trader Zulkifli Jantan, 48, of Taman Panchor Jaya, Seremban.

Department director Mohd Zaide Mohamed Zin said the area was a natural habitat for leopard cats.

"I urge motorists to be careful when travelling along this route as these cats often cross the road.

"This cat is a protected species in Malaysia and we are not allowed to keep it as a pet."

The animal is the size of a domestic cat, but with longer legs.