The Fishing Cat
Fishing Cats have declined sharply across Southeast Asia where populations are severely understudied and could be approaching extinction, largely due to poaching.
In 2015 however, evidence of Fishing Cats was found in the mangrove forests of Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary (PKWS) in southwest Cambodia.
We are now entering a Race to Save the Fishing Cat! *
The Project
The Kla Trey | Cambodian Fishing Cat Project was established to investigate and protect this newly found Fishing Cat population.
We aim to estimate population abundance and status in PKWS, assess threats, and work with all relevant stakeholders to develop conservation measures to protect these fascinating cats.
Project Activity
Since Kla Trey's inception, a total of 65 camera traps have been deployed. Nearly 4,000 days of data have been collected, pinpointing 10 locations with a consistent Fshing Cat presence in PKWS.
Community engagement has been successful as demonstrated by the active participation in workshops aimed at empowering PKWS rangers to enforce protection standards and community training sessions to improve local resource management and livelihood stability.
Ongoing community support is crucial to ensuring long-term sustainable management of natural resources; enhanced livelihood stability and improved attitudes towards Fishing Cats.
Our collaboration with PKWS rangers supports: enhanced detection and recording of Fishing Cats and other wildlife; law enforcement efforts through provision of equipment such as GIS units and cameras; and training to sustain high standards of protection for wildlife and mangrove habitat.
How can you help?
*To support Kla Trey's long-term goals, three project volunteers, Sally Noël, Shauna Doll and Cat Bearne will run 10km in the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon on December 2, 2018.
Project Communications Officer Claire Baker-Munton will run 3km.
So runners, why Race to Save the Fishing Cat?
Shauna Mae
Because it is important. It is important to protect biodiversity on this planet. It is important to raise awareness about the impacts human behaviour and development have on the natural world. It is important to commit to something that will make this world better.
These are grandiose ideas but there is something poetic about racing for conservation, isn't there?
This small race to raise awareness and financial support for the protection of a single threatened species is like a microcosm for conservation in general. A race to protect biodiversity from an incessant stream of environmental threats.
Sally Noel
I want to embody my passion for coastal environments, I mean really embody it by doing this race!
I’ve worked in mangroves before in Mauritius so I know how important they are, and how difficult it can be to secure funding for their protection.
Like Shauna, the concept of racing for conservation resounds with me- it really is a race against time and current practices to save essential species and landscapes like the
Fishing Cat in the mangroves of Cambodia!
Cat Bearne
I grew up enjoying the wildlife and natural beauty of English National Parks; running, cycling and hiking with friends and family.
I’m new to Cambodia and miss my cat from home very much- I fall in love with every animal on the streets of Phnom Penh! Most of all, I want to support Wildlife Conservationin Cambodia.
Claire Baker-Munton
Because without biodiversity we are poor- as a species, as an ecosystem, as a biome. The Fishing Cat is a flagship species for the mangroves, themselves the "ultimate illustration of why humans need nature.”
The Fishing Cat is overlooked and under-funded, whereas everyone knows the tiger. Species studies began in only 2009; the race to conserve Fishing Cat is just beginning- and evidence points to how this population could be a stronghold in the region.
I’m no runner but I’m happy to race to save the Fishing Cat!
This is our Race to Save the Fishing Cat! Please consider donating!
UPDATE: US-based Wild Cat Sanctuary, Wild Oasis will match our first $1,000 in the Race to Save the Fishing Cat – that’s your support x2 ! Can you help us go the distance?