From October 2022 to December 2023, we deployed camera trapping survey of wildlife diversity in Ningxia Zhongwei Shapotou National Nature Reserve, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. Our study obtained 79 independent detections of Afro-Asiatic wildcat (Felis lybica) across 35 sites in Shapotou Reserve. Morphologically similar to domestic cat (F. catus), the Afro-Asiatic wildcat is distinguished by its light yellow coat, white ventral belly, and irregular black spots covering the body, a key diagnostic feature distinguishing it from other wildcat lineages, which typically exhibit striped patterns. The ears stand up in a triangular shape with brown frown at the tips, and a tail marked by alternating black-and-white rings, tapering to a pointed tip. Listed as Endangered on Red List of China’s Biodiversity and classified as a class Ⅱ state key protected wild animals in China, the Afro-Asiatic wildcat faces significant threats from habitat alteration, anthropogenic mortality, and genetic introgression due to hybridization with domestic cat. Historically, Afro-Asiatic wildcat has been restricted to deserts and arid grassland ecosystems in Xinjiang and Gansu, with no confirmed recent records in other regions of China over the past two decades. Our findings represent the first documented video evidence of Afro-Asiatic wildcat in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, providing critical insights into regional biodiversity and species conservation. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the species’distribution in China but also establishes a foundational dataset for future research and conservation planning.
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