Wild Musk Cats Found in Taiwan’s Ali Mountain Coffee Farm

In a surprising turn of events on an organic coffee farm nestled in Taiwan’s mountainous Ali Mountain region, a pair of orphaned musk cats—rare, protected mammals—were discovered and ultimately nurtured by an unlikely foster parent: a domestic housecat. The incident sheds light on both the challenges of wildlife conservation in agricultural zones and the surprising bonds that can form across species.

Two blind musk cats, each under 20 cm long, were found in a grassy area of an organic coffee farm in Ali Mountain’s Leye Village. Unable to locate their mother and showing no signs of survival on their own, they were taken in by a local farmer and later cared for by a resident feline after conventional feeding failed.

Discovery in the Coffee Fields

The musk cats were first spotted by a farmer in Leye Village, Ali Mountain, while he was weeding an organic coffee plot. Hidden among the vegetation, the tiny, unidentified animals drew concern when their parents failed to return. With no clear way to care for them, the farmer reached out to Tung Ching-hsien , former Chiayi County councilor and current head of the Mana Organic Life Promotion Association’s Ali Mountain branch.

After inspecting the pair, Tung identified them as young musk cats—a species classified as a second-class protected wildlife animal in Taiwan. The cats were barely a few days old, had not yet opened their eyes, and were in critical need of care.

An Unlikely Foster Mother

Initially, Tung attempted to bottle-feed the musk kittens with milk, but they struggled to suckle and showed signs of rejecting the formula. With the situation becoming critical, Tung recalled that his son’s pet cat, Xiao Bai , a female cat who had given birth just a month earlier, was nursing her own litter of three kittens in a nearby shed. Despite initial resistance, Xiao Bai eventually accepted the musk cats into her brood.

The integrated litter quickly presented challenges. With only four functional nipples, competition for feeding was fierce. One of the musk cats sustained a minor head injury from the claws of one of the domestic kittens. To reduce harm, the claws of the domestic kittens were clipped. Despite the cramped conditions and occasional scuffles, Xiao Bai’s maternal instincts prevailed, and all the kittens fed successfully under her care.

Wildlife Experts Step In

The Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute (TESRI), which had previously released musk cats in Leye Village years earlier, was alerted to the situation. Staff veterinarian Wang Ling-min and colleagues visited the site to assess the musk cats’ condition. They confirmed that the young musk cats were healthy and thriving under the care of Xiao Bai.

The plan is for the musk cats to remain with the foster family for the time being. Eventually, TESRI will retrieve the musk cats once they are older and better able to survive on their own, aiming to release them back into a more suitable wild habitat.

About Musk Cats in Taiwan

Musk cats, also known as small Indian civets, are small, nocturnal mammals native to Southeast Asia, including Taiwan. Though not true cats, they are often referred to colloquially as such. Classified as a second-class protected species in Taiwan, they play a role in controlling pests and maintaining ecological balance. Their presence in agricultural areas like coffee farms highlights the overlap between wild ecosystems and farming landscapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where were the musk cats found?

The musk cats were found in a grassy area of an organic coffee farm in Leye Village, Ali Mountain, Taiwan, by a farmer who was weeding the field. Their mother was not present, prompting the farmer to seek help.

Why couldn’t the musk cats feed from a bottle?

The young musk cats were unable to suckle from a bottle and rejected cow’s milk. This made initial feeding attempts unsuccessful, leading caregivers to seek alternative solutions.

How did the domestic cat come into the picture?

Tung Ching-hsien’s son’s pet cat, Xiao Bai, had given birth to three kittens a month earlier and was still nursing them. After some hesitation, Xiao Bai accepted the musk cats and allowed them to feed alongside her own litter.

What happened when the cats competed for milk?

With only four nipples available, there was competition between the domestic kittens and the musk cats. One musk cat was injured by the claws of a domestic kitten, leading the humans to clip the kittens’ claws to prevent further harm.

What will happen to the musk cats now?

The musk cats are currently healthy and being cared for by Xiao Bai. Wildlife experts from the Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute will eventually take them back for rehabilitation and eventual release into the wild when they are older and more independent.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans for Wild Cat Lovers

If you’re drawn to the wild beauty of Taiwan’s highland regions—like those near Ali Mountain where these musk cats were found—try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for floral brightness, Yirgacheffe for citrusy lift, or Gedeb for juicy red fruit notes. These single-origin coffees reflect the altitude and care of specialty farming, much like the remote coffee plots where the musk cats were discovered. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.