Hello everyone and welcome to the second part of our look at a beautiful species and what the future has in store for an animal which brings so much life and character to the natural world, the endangered predator the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus . Last time we took a look at the background of the species, its ecology, biology and behaviour this section focuses on the serious issues facing the species.
(NewquayZoo.org 2013).
(NewquayZoo.org 2013).
Threats
The Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus is currently ranked by the IUCN as "Endangered" officially this means the species has a very high chance that it will become extinct in the wild (IUCN 2010).
So why has a species which was previously so successful suffered such a steep and severe decline resulting in a battle to save its very existence? Humans perhaps unsurprisingly have played a large and devastating role in the decline of the species.
The wetlands which the species rely so heavily on are being destroyed at an alarming rate, more than 45 % of protected wetlands and an unbelievable 94 % of globally significant wetlands in Southeast Asia are now considered threatened (Dugan 1993).
These wetlands are targeted by people for a number of reasons including the increasing number of setters seeing the wetlands as a new home, the demand for more room for agriculture means wetlands are drained as well as the omnipresent threat of pollution, over hunting and fishing (IUCN 2010).
Recently it has that Thailand's shrimp farms are now starting to add yet another serious problem to the growing list of the felines challenges. The damage done by Shrimp farmers by digging huge holes in prime habitat to harvest thousands of shrimps means the habitat is being demolished at an alarming rate (abcnews 2012) .
In desperation, Fishing Cats Prionailurus viverrinus will attack locals chickens and in retaliation, they themselves killed (abcnews 2012).
While not targeted specifically by poachers, Fishing Cats Prionailurus viverrinus, does still fall victim to snares ( Nowell and Jackson 1996).
The result of snaring alongside trapping and poisoning is a serious contribution towards the depletion of a population to the point where even with what appear to be in good condition wetlands in Southeast Asia, no members of the species could be found (IUCN 2010).
So why has a species which was previously so successful suffered such a steep and severe decline resulting in a battle to save its very existence? Humans perhaps unsurprisingly have played a large and devastating role in the decline of the species.
The wetlands which the species rely so heavily on are being destroyed at an alarming rate, more than 45 % of protected wetlands and an unbelievable 94 % of globally significant wetlands in Southeast Asia are now considered threatened (Dugan 1993).
These wetlands are targeted by people for a number of reasons including the increasing number of setters seeing the wetlands as a new home, the demand for more room for agriculture means wetlands are drained as well as the omnipresent threat of pollution, over hunting and fishing (IUCN 2010).
Recently it has that Thailand's shrimp farms are now starting to add yet another serious problem to the growing list of the felines challenges. The damage done by Shrimp farmers by digging huge holes in prime habitat to harvest thousands of shrimps means the habitat is being demolished at an alarming rate (abcnews 2012) .
In desperation, Fishing Cats Prionailurus viverrinus will attack locals chickens and in retaliation, they themselves killed (abcnews 2012).
While not targeted specifically by poachers, Fishing Cats Prionailurus viverrinus, does still fall victim to snares ( Nowell and Jackson 1996).
The result of snaring alongside trapping and poisoning is a serious contribution towards the depletion of a population to the point where even with what appear to be in good condition wetlands in Southeast Asia, no members of the species could be found (IUCN 2010).
(WWFIndia 2011).
The habitat requirements of the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus, are coming under increasing threat.
Conservation
So what is being done to a help a species in desperate need of saving?
The Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus, has now been protected by national legislation over the majority of its range, as well as hunting being banned over Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand ( Nowell and Jackson 1996).
The species is not protected however by laws outside of protected areas in Bhutan and Vietnam ( Nowell and Jackson 1996).
The species also now appears on the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix 11 (Nowell and Jackson 1996).
The Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus, has now been protected by national legislation over the majority of its range, as well as hunting being banned over Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand ( Nowell and Jackson 1996).
The species is not protected however by laws outside of protected areas in Bhutan and Vietnam ( Nowell and Jackson 1996).
The species also now appears on the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix 11 (Nowell and Jackson 1996).
Fishing Cat Conservation and Research Project.
Organisations have also been set up to try and aid the species plight, for example the Fishing Cat Conservation and Research Project, which through field research, good habitat management and through starting and continuing to support education and outreaching activities, is able to look for viable populations of the cats and support work with the aim of directly protecting and conserving their populations.
Their work is split into four main groups and each of them are crucial to the survival of the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus and their conservation throughout the whole of Southeast Asia.
The first is to conduct a regional review of both the cats distribution and conservation status, both current and historical data on the species all through Southeast Asia are included.
Secondly, as a result of a detailed study of the cats in their natural habitat, will provide biologists, with a far better idea on how to plan and execute further ecological research and conservation efforts.
Thirdly, through working together with local organisations, their work can contribute towards the research and monitoring of diseases which include avian influenza and SARS.
These provide serious health risks both to the wildlife and the people of Southeast Asia and through live screening of animals these diseases can be identified well before it becomes a serious problem.
Finally and crucially, the final main of their efforts is to educate and the reach out to local people, through the use of presentations, posters amongst other resources which, without forcing an idea on to people, teaches them how to use the wetlands in a more sustainable way to protect their native wildlife with including of course the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (Fishing Cat Conservation and Research Project 2009).
Their work is split into four main groups and each of them are crucial to the survival of the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus and their conservation throughout the whole of Southeast Asia.
The first is to conduct a regional review of both the cats distribution and conservation status, both current and historical data on the species all through Southeast Asia are included.
Secondly, as a result of a detailed study of the cats in their natural habitat, will provide biologists, with a far better idea on how to plan and execute further ecological research and conservation efforts.
Thirdly, through working together with local organisations, their work can contribute towards the research and monitoring of diseases which include avian influenza and SARS.
These provide serious health risks both to the wildlife and the people of Southeast Asia and through live screening of animals these diseases can be identified well before it becomes a serious problem.
Finally and crucially, the final main of their efforts is to educate and the reach out to local people, through the use of presentations, posters amongst other resources which, without forcing an idea on to people, teaches them how to use the wetlands in a more sustainable way to protect their native wildlife with including of course the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (Fishing Cat Conservation and Research Project 2009).
The link below goes into more detail about this fantastic project.
The Future.
In 2005 it was estimated the number of mature breeding individuals was less than ten thousand ( IUCN 2005), and while their future may still be in the balance, projects like the one just discussed are definitely helping the plight of this beautiful animal.
Now with Malaysia, Indonesia and India also taking notice of the importance to help this species (gale schools no date ), these are defiantly positive steps.
The species is rare everywhere however and they are also scarce in captivity as a result there are not enough individuals for a captive breeding programme to be a possibility (galeschools nodate).
This in itself highlights the fragile plight of the elusive but fascinating predator, its future rests largely in our hands. How we choose to act now could mean the difference between future generations having the opportunity to see these species for themselves, or whether like so many species before them they will be consigned to listening to other peoples memories and reading history books it really is up to us.
Now with Malaysia, Indonesia and India also taking notice of the importance to help this species (gale schools no date ), these are defiantly positive steps.
The species is rare everywhere however and they are also scarce in captivity as a result there are not enough individuals for a captive breeding programme to be a possibility (galeschools nodate).
This in itself highlights the fragile plight of the elusive but fascinating predator, its future rests largely in our hands. How we choose to act now could mean the difference between future generations having the opportunity to see these species for themselves, or whether like so many species before them they will be consigned to listening to other peoples memories and reading history books it really is up to us.
Three steps to help the Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus.
1) When selecting shrimps, or fish species for your own consumption, make sure you do you research first, make sure your food is coming from a responsible, sustainable source this will help not only the Fishing Cat Prionilurus viverrinus, but also help species all over the world suffering as a result of over fishing (Over fishing.org 2012). Shrimps from Thailand should not be purchased at all, (abc news 2012).
2) By making a small donation, you can help support vital research going into helping this elusive species below is an example of an organisation you could support.
3) You can also show your support through social networking sites by liking pages such as the Fishing Cat Research and Conservation Project on Facebook, a quick, easy and free way to show your support (catinwater,wordpress.com 2012).
You can also follow catinwater on Twitter, show your support in saving a beautiful species.
Newquay Zoo works with the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust to conserve threatened species and habitats http://www.wwct.org.uk/conservation-research.
References.
abcnews.go.com, 2012. Available at
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/04/thailands-shrimp-farms-threaten-rare-fishing-cats/gan,
P. 1993. Wetlands in danger: conservation atlas. Mitchell Beazley and IUCN,
London, UK. Date visited 12th January 2013.
Catinwater.wordpress,2012. Available at http://catinwater.wordpress.com/.
Cats.org,2009. Available at http://www.catsg.org/catsgportal/project-o-month/02_webarchive/grafics/dec2009.pdf.
Dugan P, 1993. Wetlands in danger: conservation atlas.
Mitchell Beazley and IUCN, London
Galeschools.come,no date. Available at http://www.galeschools.com/environment/endangered/fishing_cat.htm.
IUCN Cat Specialist Group, 2005. Available at
Iucnredlist.org, 2010. Available at http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18150/0.
NewquayZoo.org, 2013. Available at http://www.newquayzoo.org.uk/animals-plants/animals/details/fishing-cat.
Nowell, K. and Jackson, P. 1996. Wild Cats. Status Survey
and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland
and Cambridge, UK.
Overfishing.org, 2012. Available at http://overfishing.org/pages/why_is_overfishing_a_problem.php.
wwfindia.org,2011. Available at http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/priority_species/lesser_known_species/fishing_cat/.
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