Foreword to the small wild cats special issue

Abstract

Small wild cats are fascinating but elusive. Biologists are only beginning to fathom their vital ecological roles in maintaining and preserving biodiversity. Yet, surveys and conservation efforts targeting them are still underfunded. Most of them live in the long shadow cast by the more widely known Panthera cats that attract the lion’s share of international funding. Much of what we know about small wild cats is a result of by-catch data from camera trap surveys targeted at larger mammals. There is still a dearth of people with passion for and expertise in research and conservation of small wild cats. With this issue, we hope to raise your awareness for their conservation needs and inspire you to join us in unravelling their mysteries.