The loss of natural habitat due to forestry and logging activities, pose a constant threat, and has led to localized and patchy distribution.
The distribution of the kodkod is restricted to Chile and parts of Argentina. The range of the cat is strongly associated with the moist temperate mixed fores ts of the southern Andean and Coastal ranges, particularly the Valdivian forest of Chile, which is characterized by the presence of bamboo in the understorey. Some people suggest that it may be a sub-species of Geoffreys cat Oncifelas geoffroyi. Very little is known of the lifestyle of the kodkod.
The kodkod is listed as: CITES "Appendix 2" and is protected in both Argentina and Chile.
The IUCN considers Uncia uncia as "Vulnerable".