Did you know that records of wild births of jungle cat (Felis chaus) indicate that the majority of jungle cat young are born between December and June. In Sri Lanka, specifically, births are often recorded between December and March. 🐾 A jungle cat litter can consist of as many as six adorable kittens! However, the most common number is three, like the litter in these images! 🐾 These tiny bundles of fur weigh between 43-55 grams at birth. 😸 Remember, if you ever see any small wild cat kittens, never take them away from their original location as their mother is very likely around, or simply away hunting, and will come back for her young. If you think a wild cat kitten is injured or in danger, you can always contact the Department of Wildlife Conservation or report an incident to us. 📲 Our contact details are available for reporting small wild cat incidents on our Facebook and Instagram pages. #smallwildcats #smallcatadvocacy #wildlife #felines #ourplanet #thisiswilderness #conservation #education #awareness #planetearth
Update from the 3rd International Fishing Cat Symposium! With excitement and determination, representatives of organizations from around the globe have come together at the 3rd International Fishing Cat Symposium, 2023, in Siem Reap, Cambodia! Taking the necessary steps in support of collaboration, like-minded members of conservation organizations have come to hold hands in sharing valuable knowledge and enable range-wide and country-specific species conservation planning. And, of course, ensuring the successful conservation of the fishing cat, not only in Sri Lanka but across its range. A huge thanks to FCEE (Fishing Cat Ecological Enterprise) for being our host in this incredible gathering for the global benefit of fishing cat conservation. Keep an eye out for our stories and upcoming posts for more updates! #conservation #Symposium #fishingcat #collaboration #savefishingcats #smallcatadvocacy
Our Young Wildlife Biologist Starter course wrapped up with a workshop conducted by Avijja Fonseka on all things creepy crawly.🐛🕷🦟🦋 From #dragonflies to butterflies, beetles, and spittle bug foam, our Young Wildlife Biologists had a blast discovering the fascinating world of invertebrates 🕷 They were amazed by the variety of insects they encountered, but that's not all! They also got up close and personal with #spiders (lots of spiders, actually) and even had the chance to observe some #endemic Acavus phoenix snails. 🐌🔍 This final workshop of the year was an absolute success, ending the course on a high note! @urbanfishingcat @avijjafonseka #education #fun #awareness #workshop #naturewalk #invertebrates #creepycrawly #smallcatadvocacy #colombo #srilanka #wetland #fauna
Camera Trapping Tips: Part 1 📷 To capture elusive wildlife in action, it's crucial to master the art of concealment. You can start by finding a spot to ensure your camera trap remains hidden and is in a colour that seamlessly blends into the surroundings, avoiding any potential spooking of animals or unwanted attention from curious passersby (which could result in camera theft). Another important tip is to position your camera at an optimal height and angle above the ground based on the height of your target species to ensure you capture a full body image of them. 📷🐾 Keep an eye out for our posts for more wildlife camera trapping tips! @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @fishingcatconservationalliance #cameratraps #SriLanka #wildlifebiology #research #conservewetlands #conservation #smallcatadvocacy #thisiswilderness #wildlife
"Tree for cats" Community enrichment program We are giving out commercially valuable fruit plants to the bordering communities in and around our study site alongside raising awareness about the carnivoures, conflicts, and how to mitigate them. Through this, we expect to increase the tolerance of these nearby communities towards carnivoures and somehow helping their livelihood. This is one of our many community enrichment programs, and stay with us for more and more updates. @hkoceanpark #education #biodiversity #conservation #wildlife #srilanka #research #savefishingcatconservationproject #srilanka #smallcats #conservation #smallcatadvocacy #wildlife #awareness #education #wilderness #protect #sustainability
REPOST @savefishingcat. The @savefishincat team successfully completed two new school programs in a rural part of the hill country. The students were very excited about this programme and proved to be amazing and enthusiastic children. This is the first time the team managed to do it for an entire school from grades 1 to 11 in one school and grade 1 to 5 in another. Their program included interactive activities like making collages and games, such as making clues about wild animals and identifying them. And, for older students, they had informative sessions of talk series about " Mammals of Sri Lanka" , "Snakes and reptiles of Sri Lanka" , "Conservation and the role children can play in protecting nature. It is usually people in rural communities who engage daily with wildlife and are directly affected by the human-wildlife conflict and we need to educate them through these programs to spread the word about wildlife and conservation and promote co habitation. These programs were funded by Ocean Park Conservation Hongkong and Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation. @hkoceanpark #education #biodiversity #conservation #wildlife #srilanka #research #savefishingcatconservationproject #srilanka #smallcats #conservation #smallcatadvocacy #wildlife #awareness #education #wilderness #protect #sustainability #repostandroid #repostw10
Our team has successfully completed another two school programs in rural Hill country in this week. These school kids were very excited about this and we must say they are amazing. This is the 1st time we managed to do it for a whole school …From grade 1 to grade 11 in one school and grade 1 to grade 5 in another school. Our program included with interactive kids activities like Collages, Small Games like making clues about wild animals and identifying them. And For older school kids we had informative sessions of talk series about " Mammals of Sri Lanka" , "Snakes and reptiles of Sri Lanka" , "conservation and role as a kid in protecting nature" … Usually Rural communities are the one who daily engaged with the wildlife while directly affected by their conflicts and we need to educate them like these programs to spread the word about the wildlife and conservation and promote co habitation. These programs were funded by Ocean Park Conservation Hongkong and Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation. @hkoceanpark #education #biodiversity #conservation #wildlife #srilanka #research #savefishingcatconservationproject #srilanka #smallcats #conservation #smallcatadvocacy #wildlife #awareness #education #wilderness #protect #sustainability
Cats in the hills ~ inland fishing cats Sri Lanka shows uniqe distribution when it comes to global distribution of fishing cat since you can find them inland away from major water rich and wetland environments. These cats have are very well adapted to Highland ecosysterms and cohabiting with their bigger and smaller cousins. #education #biodiversity #conservation #wildlife #srilanka #research #savefishingcatconservationproject #srilanka #smallcats #conservation #smallcatadvocacy #wildlife #awareness #education #wilderness #protect #sustainability
Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus). - 01st Feb 2023 - #fishingcat #wildcatsofsrilanka #thalangamalake #urbanfishingcat #urbanfishingcatconservationproject #urbanfishingcatproject #smallcatadvocacy #fishingcatconservationalliance #urbancapturesofcolombo #urbanwildlifephotography #urbancaptures #urbanwildlife #wetlandwatch #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot #natgeowild #bbcearth #bbcwildlife #bbcnature #wildlife_conservation_official #BBCWildlifePOTD @natgeoshot @yourshotphotographer @wildlifephotographicmag
Reposted from @savefishingcat 🌿🦋🐆🦈 An incredible and educational; "Total Biodiversity Youth Programme" was held by @savefishingcat 🌿🦋🐆🦈 Read the caption to find out what went on: ⏬️ Youth camp 2022: Total biodiversity program was held at Hidagala, Kandy, Sri Lanka from 16th to 18th December with the support of Ocean Park Conservation Hong kong, Panthera, and Re-Wild Organizations. 🌿🦋🐆🦈 This program was conducted by the Save Fishing Cat Conservation Project by Small Cat Advocacy & Research, targeting 72 university students from Ocean University, Open University, Jayawaradanapura University, and Peradeniya university. 🌿🦋🐆🦈 Through this program, the students were educated on basic first aid, personal development for young graduates, birds, butterflies, snakes, mammal monitoring, lichens, scorpions, tissue culture with nepenthes, scientific writing, and sharks and rays in Sri Lanka. In addition, They had a nature walk, along with field exposure, through this camp. 🌿🦋🐆🦈 This has been one of the most exciting, adventurous and educational programmes @savefishingcats has done, all made possible through the support of it's funders and they hope to continue this incredible work to educate the youth of today, who are the future of tomorrow. @hkoceanpark #education #biodiversity #conservation #wildlife #srilanka #research #savefishingcatconservationproject #srilanka #smallcats #conservation #smallcatadvocacy #wildlife #awareness #education #wilderness #protect #sustainability
Youth camp 2022 : Total biodiversity program held at Hidagala, Kandy Sri Lanka from 16th to 18th December with the support of Ocena park Conservation Hong kong, Panthera, and Re wild organizations. This program was conducted by the Save Fishing cat conservation project by Small cat Advocacy & Research targeting 72 university students from ocean university, open university, Jayawaradanapura university, and Peradeniya university. through this program, they were educated about Basic first aid, personal development for young graduates, Birds, Butterflies, Snakes, mammal monitoring, lichens, scorpions, tissue culture with nepenthes, scientific writing, and sharks and rays in Sri Lanka. In addition, They had a nature walk along with field exposure through this camp. @hkoceanpark #education #biodiversity #conservation #wildlife #srilanka #research #savefishingcatconservationproject #srilanka #smallcats #conservation #smallcatadvocacy #wildlife #awareness #education #wilderness #protect #sustainability
The world’s smallest wild cat - Rusty Spotted Cat. . Found only in India, Sri Lanka and marginally in Nepal. Weighing between 0.9 to 1.6 kgs and measuring roughly 35 to 48 cms in length. . . . . . #rustyspottedcat #feline #smallcats #rustycat #arid #wildcat #vunerable #femlens #india #natureinfocus #womenphotographers #smallcatadvocacy #indiawildlifeofficail #wildlifeofindia #ig_captures #ig_discover_wildlife #igscwildlife #igscwildlife #bbcearth #disvoveryindia #travelshots #wildlife_inspired #wildlifeperfection #awpc #awpchk #natgeoyourlens #yourlens #sanctuaryasia #ngtdailyshot
Meaningful collabs with a definite favourite - 1 Posted @withrepost • @smallcatadvocacy Diploendozoochory 🫐➡️🐦➡️🦊 Now that's a bit of a mouthful, but this very long word is the process of a seed being trasported in the gut of multiple animals. In the image for example, a bird feeds on berries and then ends up in the belly of a mesocarnivore like a jackal or an obligate carnivore like a small wild cat who are referred to as seed-carrying predators. The berry seed has been ingested by not one, but two animals and after being broken down in their digestive tracts, the seed will be ready to germinate and turn into a new tree. What are some benfits of diploendozoochory? 1. Thick shelled seeds may germinate better after passing through the gut of two species which helps with wear and tear of the seeds 🌱. 2. Predators often cover larger distances than prey species, and as deforestation and habitat alteration continues as a result of human development, predators maybe the only species able to navigate these areas and disperse seeds to recolonize them 🐆. 3. As climate change continues to impact our planet, plants may not be able to find suitable places to grow through normal dispersion means, however large seed-carrying predators may be able to by covering large areas and move with the changing climate . This predator-assisted seed dispersal is important to colonize and recolonize plant life in the wild, therefore protecting these predators who carry out this role can enable scientists to identify ways in which this is important for plant populations and seed evolution. @savefishingcat @urbanfishingcat Artwork by @thereal_slimshahdi #diploendozoochory #science #zoology #terminology #smallcatadvocacy #wild #srilanka
Introducing "Fox" our field dog, He used to travel with us for very long distances like 10 to 15 km per day when we visitng our camera traps sites. He is really good with the forest and finding his way around. no matter , streams, hills, slopes on our way #smallcatadvocacy #fishingcatconservationalliance #panthera #oceanparkhongkong #swccf
Sorting out data is important when you play with large amount of cameras regularly, It also give good idea about our mistakes and lot more information about the microhabitats in different landscapes. save fishing cat team doing their very best with both field and desk work! #smallcatadvocacy #fishingcatconservationalliance #panthera #oceanparkhongkong #swccf
It's always wonderful to see how much children love and appreciate nature. After this incredibly fun session on spreading awareness on urban fishing cats and wetlands at Ladies College, some of the students decided to show their appreciation for the fishing cat by creating these very artistic and colourful illustrations. One of them even includes the Avangers, working with the fishing cat to protect the wetlands! These little artists were from the special needs class at Ladies College aged 12 -17 years old, and it made team @urbanfishingcat beam with pride to know that they had inspired these beautiful depictions of the fishing cat. #urbanfishingcats #smallcatconservation #smallcatadvocacy #wild #srilaanka #Colombo #education @loveatree.foundation
Here's a little sneak peek to what's coming next week! We've got a bunch of great stories and posts from the work done by the @savefishingcat team at their Kandy study site. In this image, @ashanthudugala walks through the beautiful sub-montane forest that is his study site. This gorgeous, closed canopied forest that let's barely a ray of sunlight in isn't an easy one to navigate through. It takes everyone working together to get the work done and check over 50 cameras... Yes there are over 50, and soon you'll get to see just how they get their field work done with team work. For anyone with a fear of leeches, be warned ⚠️ Cute leechy videos ahead. #savefishingcats #smallcatadvocacy #kandy #Srilanka
Diploendozoochory 🫐➡️🐦➡️🦊 Now that's a bit of a mouthful, but this very long word is the process of a seed being trasported in the gut of multiple animals. In the image for example, a bird feeds on berries and then ends up in the belly of a mesocarnivore like a jackal or an obligate carnivore like a small wild cat who are referred to as seed-carrying predators. The berry seed has been ingested by not one, but two animals and after being broken down in their digestive tracts, the seed will be ready to germinate and turn into a new tree. What are some benfits of diploendozoochory? 1. Thick shelled seeds may germinate better after passing through the gut of two species which helps with wear and tear of the seeds 🌱. 2. Predators often cover larger distances than prey species, and as deforestation and habitat alteration continues as a result of human development, predators maybe the only species able to navigate these areas and disperse seeds to recolonize them 🐆. 3. As climate change continues to impact our planet, plants may not be able to find suitable places to grow through normal dispersion means, however large seed-carrying predators may be able to by covering large areas and move with the changing climate . This predator-assisted seed dispersal is important to colonize and recolonize plant life in the wild, therefore protecting these predators who carry out this role can enable scientists to identify ways in which this is important for plant populations and seed evolution. @savefishingcat @urbanfishingcat Artwork by @thereal_slimshahdi #diploendozoochory #science #zoology #terminology #smallcatadvocacy #wild #srilanka
Have the fishing cats of the wetlands invested in a new cable TV connection 🖥? I think not! Rather, @urbanfishingcat has a fun piece of equipment which is certainly for the cats benefit but not for watching their favourite channels. This is a base station which receives signals from the fishing cats' collars (also a fun piece of equipment), that sends important information about their movements which is then downloaded to learn more about their secret lives. The data may reveal where fishing cats go to rest, hunt their prey, cross roads and it may even show den sites! Road kill and habitat loss are major threats faced by fishing cats. Imagine what could be done to protect their habitats and reduce road kill incidents with the information above? The base station, although it looks ordinary, is continuously gathering data which will help make a difference in the lives of Colombo's fishing cats for the better. #basestation #basestations #wildlifeplanet #smallcatadvocacy #SriLanka #fishingcat
Have you ever seen a pregnant fishing cat? Well here's a beautiful mama to be! Little is known about the social organization or mating behaviour of these mysterious felines, however females are assumed to be polyeastrous. But what does that mean? 🤔 It means that females are able to go into heat several times a year! If you have a pet cat, you have probably noticed this too. But back to the fishing cats! Kittens are usually born after a 63 -70 day gestation period and weigh around 170g each, which is about the weight of a chocolate bar 🍫. Around day 16, they open their sparkly kitten eyes and around day 53 their mother introduces meat into their diet. Finally, after being weaned at 4- 6 months they become independent when they are 12 -18 months old and start their solitary life, walking in the twilight doing what fishing cats do; catching fish, marking territory, finding a partner and playing their part in maintaining balance in the ecosystem. 🎥Video credits: Nancy van der Poorten @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #smallcatadvocacy #wild #wildlife #wildcats #smallwildcats #conservation #research #srilaanka
Cuteness overload! Swipe left for a boop. Fishing cats aren't the only ones who like getting their pictures taken, as seen by this adorable pooch posing for a selfie. The pupper not only curiously looked at the camera with sad little eyes, but also decided to boop it. Maybe the scent of a fishing cat grabbed its attention? 🤷🏿♀️. Whatever the reason, we're grateful for this dose of cuteness. @urbanfishingcat #cute #puppy #trailcamera #srilanka #smallcatadvocacy
Posted @withregram • @savefishingcat Setting up cameras in mountain pine plantation and its surrounding to see how carnivores utilize these degraded habitats! The rough, steep and degraded mountain pine plantations make for a fun filled adventurous day out in the field. Setting up camera traps out here takes a lot of work, but nothing can hold back the enthusiasm of @ashanthudugala and his volunteers as they make their way through the hills with the happiest of smiles. Go team @savefishingcat! #smallcatadvocacy #fishingcatconservationalliance #panthera #oceanparkhongkong #swccf
On this #natureconservationday the primary focus is to preserve the environment and nurture it. The earth is abundant with resources that sustain us and these along with the species that depend on them are facing the threat of extinction. To safeguard these resources and preserve our environment, we can take actions on an individual level and this can be done by making sustainable choices when it comes to our consumption. Make a difference and spread the word on the significance of this day in preserving the threatened flora and fauna that are about to be extinct in the future. Its time we put nature first because our future depends on it. 📸 Image credit: Hardik Pala #smallcatadvocacy #wild #wildlife #Srilanka #nature #conservation
Creature of Darkness Fishing cats, solitary and nocturnal hunters that rest during the day amongst dense vegetation and head to the water to find food at night. . . . . . #fishingcat #feline #smallcats #swampcat #wetland #mangrove #vunerable #femlens #india #mangroves #natureinfocus #womenphotographers #smallcatadvocacy #indiawildlifeofficail #wildlifeofindia #ig_captures #ig_discover_wildlife #igscwildlife #igscwildlife #bbcearth #disvoveryindia #travelshots #wildlife_inspired #wildlifeperfection #awpc #awpchk #natgeoyourlens #yourlens #fishingcats #smallcatadvocacy #sanctuaryasia #ngtdailyshot
@Dunumadalawa Forest #smallcatadvocacy #savefishingcats
Setting up cameras in mountain pine plantation and its surrounding to see how carnivoures utilize these degrade habitats ! According to locals knowledge-based they have seen many wild cat species roming around these areas time to time! Its not always easy to work in pine plantations , stepy hills, slippery floor and sharp rocks make it even more harder. #smallcatadvocacy #fishingcatconservationalliance #panthera #oceanparkhongkong #swccf
Posted @withregram • @savefishingcat Starting off our next field session in the Central Hills of Sri Lanka. New cameras, a new study site and a new adventure! Keep an eye on the page for updates. #smallcatadvocacy @fishingcatconservationalliance #oceanparkhongkong #smallcatconservation
Starting off our next field session in Central Hills Sri Lanka. #smallcatadvocacy @fishingcatconservationalliance #oceanparkhongkong #smallcatconservation
Here's a few tiny facts about the mouse deer (Moschiola meminna)! 🐁🦌 Mouse deer or chevrotains are shy little creatures who look like a mash up between a deer and a mouse but are actually neither and they are the most primitive of ruminants! They share the same characteristics with deer, such as even-toed hooves and a multi-chambered stomach, but instead of having four chambers like deer, they have three. 🐁🦌 They also lack antlers and instead have fangs which are fiercer than any vampires 🧛♀️. The males whose fangs are extra long and needle like, use them to stab each other in combat. 🐁🦌 Since these fierce little creatures haven't changed or evolved much since their time on Earth they are seen as an evolutionary link by scientists between ruminants and non-ruminants. Footage by @savefishingcat from a study site in Kandy #mousedeer #chevrotain #Kandy #srilanka #wildlife #smallmammals #smallcatadvocacy @savefishingcat
The golden palm civet (Paradoxorus aureus) is a seldom seen, endemic species to Sri Lanka and can be a creature of curiosity, as proven by the lucky photographer @erich.j.photo,who captured an image of this surprised viverrid as it tried to play with his camera with its grabby little paws! There are currently two color morphs of the golden palm civet; one with a consistent golden brown coat, known to locals as Pani uguduwa 🍯and another dark brown in colour. They are commonly found in lowland rain forests, evergreen mountain forests and dense monsoon forests. These solitary forest dwellers feed on insects 🪳, small vertebrates🐦🐸🦎 and also fruits and berries 🍒, making them important seed dispersers; a fact not widely known about these adorable mesocarnivores. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #goldenpalmcivet #mesocarnivores #viverridae #civets #smallcatadvocacy #srilanka #wild
Rusty on camera! This hypercarnivorous feline which is also the smallest wild cat in the world was caught on a camera trap in the dry zone jungle of Sri Lanka. To learn more about this species, other small wild cats and mesocarnivores you can check out our posts and also follow SCAR for more videos like this. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #wildlife #videos #rustyspottedcat #smallmammals #wildcats #srilanka #smallcatadvocacy
Some carnivores, particularly cats (family Felidae), are obligate carnivores and this means that they depend only on meat 🥩 for survival. Their bodies cannot digest plant material 🌱 properly and therefore cannot obtain all the nutrients they need from the plant kingdom and bacteria. But are all carnivores "obligate carnivores"?🤔 The answer is no, as "mesocarnivores" depend on meat for at least 50 - 70 percent of their diet, and insects, fungi, fruits and other vegetation make up the rest. Hypercarnivores depend on animals for at least 70 percent of their diet. Plants, fungi and other nutrients make up the rest of their food, therefore all obligate carnivores including cats are hypercarnivores! @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #hypercarnivores #carnivores #smallwildcats #smallwildcats #smallcatadvocacy #srilanka #wild
The jungle cat (Felis chaus) has a wide distribution and is found in the Middle East, the Caucasus - where it was first discovered, the Indian subcontinent, Central and Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka and in Southern China. This species is also a #habitatgeneralist and therefore is known across its range by different common names. In Asia it is known as the #junglecat, however in Africa, it is commonly named “reed cat” or “swamp cat”, due to its preference for wetland habitats. As its ears are tipped with short tufts of hair, which resemble those of the lynx, it is also sometimes known as a swamp lynx. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #conservation #wildcats #smallcatadvocacy #wild #srilanka #globetrotter #world #ntc_natwild
Fishing Cat, a solitary nocturnal hunter and adept swimmer . . . . . . #fishingcat #feline #smallcats #swampcat #wetland #mangrove #vunerable #femlens #india #mangroves #natureinfocus #womenphotographers #smallcatadvocacy #indiawildlifeofficail #wildlifeofindia #ig_captures #ig_discover_wildlife #igscwildlife #igscwildlife #bbcearth #disvoveryindia #travelshots #wildlife_inspired #wildlifeperfection #awpc #awpchk #natgeoyourlens #yourlens #fishingcats #smallcatadvocacy #sanctuaryasia #ngtdailyshot
Guess the object! Can you guess the object by looking at these zoomed in images? Add your answers to the comments section below! 👇 @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #conservation #SmallCatAdvocacy #fishingcat #wetlands #science #research #wild #srilanka #colombo #kandy #educate #awareness #guesstheobject
This Children's Gardening Week, let's have some outdoor fun with a great, environmentally friendly family activity! Who's in?! 🦋 Did you know that there are a few common garden plants that you could grow to attract some stunning butterflies in your home garden?! These plants are easy to find, beautiful in the garden and some even give you products for your daily use in the kitchen! 🏡👨🌾👩🌾 Our home gardens are essential pockets of green space that our native wildlife depend on through the struggles which they face with urbanization. If we put just the slightest effort, as a family, into growing just a few helpful garden plants, we can achieve a small gain in the conservation of our wildlife. Besides, we all love seeing our colorful butterflies in our home garden. 🦋 In this post, we have provided you with a few easy-to-find, common garden "host" plants and the common butterflies with which they are associated. Let's get gardening! 🦋 In the following week, using the information provided in these slides (or other), try to plant a few of these butterfly host plants with your family and post a picture of them on your stories, tagging @smallcatadvocacy @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #gardeningweek #butterfly #hostplants #greenspaces #urbanwildlife #Srilanka #colombo #SmallCatAdvocacy #Wild
Volume up! 🔊 The Golden Jackal (canis aureus), a crucial component to the ecosystems in which they are found, have another exciting side to their existence in the form of folklore. According to multiple accounts of Indian folklore, including a publication by Edgar Thurstan (2011), the howling of a Golden Jackal has gained quite a reputation. 🐾🎶 It is believed, among villagers of some parts of rural India, that if a Jackal is heard howling towards the North or East of a village, good luck may come to the local population. However, if a jackal is heard howling during mid-day to the South or West, it is perceived as a terrible omen and calamity is on its way! 🐾 Contrary to these beliefs, the howling of Jackals is merely them communicating vocally with other individuals. Either with other members of the pack or as territorial demonstrations. 🐾 The Golden Jackal is only one of many animals that are associated with folklore tales and these stories have been portrayed as beliefs in much of Asia. Can you guess the other species vocalisation in the recording? Hint: it's a bird! 🐦 Add your answers to the comment section below! @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #Jackal #goldenjackal #mesocarnivore #canine #wildlife #wild #Srilanka #india #wildcanids #SmallCatAdvocacy #folklore #tales #howl #luck
Biodiversity refers to the incredible variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. Humans are a part of this biodiversity and together with all wildlife we share this planet and a future together. 🌿 This year's theme for #WorldBiodiversityDay is "Building a shared future for all life." Biological diversity is the pillars upon which we build civilizations and the loss of it threatens all, including our health. From providing food security, to providing medicines for humans and preventing the spread of #zoonoses - diseases transmitted from animals to humans such as the coronavirus, biological diversity is a valuable asset to future generations. 🌿🇱🇰 Our beautiful island home is one of 34 biodiversity hotspots identified in the world and has the highest biodiversity per unit area of land among Asian countries. About 75% of Sri Lanka's endemic animals are found in the wet zone rainforests. 🌿📉 #Species are declining rapidly due to human activities from poor land usage, indiscriminate use of biological resources, weak enforcement of legislation, loss of traditional crop and livestock varieties, invasive species and increasing human population density. 🌿🌏 Protecting #biologicaldiversity and finding a balance between ecological and development targets is challenging. #Development needs to be done in a sustainable way which does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity. Biodiversity is a measure of sustainable development which means that 'growth today will not deprive the quality of life for future generations' which is why building a shared future for all life is of utmost importance. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #ForNature #conservation #srilanka #wildlife #wild #SmallCatAdvocacy #colombo #ntc_natwild #globetrotter
The knock-on effects of demanding bushmeat as a holiday tradition are much greater than one might expect. It is always disheartening to hear of the unnecessary deaths of Vulnerable (IUCN) Sri Lankan leopards, and maybe there is the tendency to lay blame on the poachers setting snares, or the Department of Wildlife Conservation for “not doing their jobs better”. However, it is important to understand how our actions may in fact be linked to these deaths. The snares laid that led to the demise of these leopards were set to trap animals to supply bushmeat, this means there is elsewhere to lay blame, and personal habits to reassess. Ask yourself… What is more important? Their lives or the triviality of our taste buds? 🐆 @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund 🐆 #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #conservation #protectwildlife #planetearth #globetrotter #ntc_natwild #saveourplanet #saveourforests
In order to supply bushmeat, snares are employed. Snares do not discriminate and cause the traumatic death of many wild animals as bycatch. Supply would not exist without demand, and YOUR choice makes a difference. දඩමස් සැපයීම සඳහා, උගුල් යොදා ගනී. උගුල් එකිනෙකාට වෙනස්කම් නොකොට, අසුවන බොහෝ වන සතුන්ගේ අතිශයින්ම වේදනාකාරී මරණයට හේතු වේ. ඉල්ලුම නොමැතිව සැපයුමක් නොපවතියි. එය ඔබේ තේරීම මත රඳා පවතී. புஷ்மீட் சப்ளை செய்வதற்காக, பொறிகள் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகின்றன. பொறிகள் பாகுபாடு காட்டுவதில்லை மற்றும் பல காட்டு விலங்குகளின் அதிர்ச்சிகரமான மரணத்தை பை கேட்ச் என ஏற்படுத்துகின்றன. தேவை இல்லாமல் சப்ளை இருக்காது, உங்கள் தேர்வு வித்தியாசத்தை ஏற்படுத்துகிறது. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @lanka.environment.fund @parrotfishcollective @leopoconsrilanka #saynotobushmeat #stoppoaching #protectwildlife #smallcatadvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #srilanka #wild #wildlife #education #awareness #sustainablechoices
It's that time of year again when the traps are out to catch the fishing cats so they can be safely collared and their whereabouts and movements monitored. This time, Anya's got her teaching hat on as she shows the interns the ropes on how to go about this process. 🎣🐱👩🏫 Passing on her knowledge to budding researchers and conservationists is one of her greatest passions and today, Anya demonstrates how to set up a trap. Field experience is hard to get and it's only under the careful supervision of professionals, like Anya, that it is possible to learn how to correctly and carefully handle yourself in the wild and use scientific equipment to its highest potential. 👩🔬🏞️ This knowledge that is passed on will be put to great use one day as these passionate youths take on the challenges that Sri Lanka's wildlife currently face. @anyaratnayaka @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #education #conservation #knowledge #fieldwork #research #fishingcat #wetlands #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka #colombo #saveourwetlands #protectwildlife #globetrotter #wildlife #wild #smallwildcats #science #scientific #equipment #ecosystem #smallwildcats #wildcat #ntc_natwild
If you weren't too sure, “bushmeat” refers to the meat from wild animals that is used for food. In Sri Lanka, bushmeat is consumed widely, and calculated snaring operations are put in place in order to trap animals and meet demand. However, a large part of the consumer demographic are unaware of the processes and effects of this industry. Hence, through a collaboration among @smallcatadvocacy , @leopoconsrilanka and @parrotfishcollective we hope to enlighten the past, current and potential consumers of bushmeat in Sri Lanka, on what exactly the true costs of bushmeat are, and how they affect our animals, ecosystems and people. We believe informed choices can only be made when people are informed, and are provided with the necessary knowledge to make the right decision. The consumption of bushmeat causes the death of many animals as bycatch, an array of ecological problems and increased health risks as well as legal issues surrounding the obtaining of bushmeat. Over the following months we will be unpacking these issues in more detail, with the goal of creating a discourse around this practice that will, given time, no longer be viewed as a socially acceptable holiday tradition without consequences, but the stigmatised, harmful habit that it is. Feel free to reach out to any of the organisations for further explanation or clarity on any of the topics you will be introduced to in the coming posts. @smallcatadvocacy @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #saynotobushmeat #smallcatadvocacy #srilanka #colombo #wild #nopoaching #protect #conserve #educate #awareness #campaign #conservation #wildlife
When an animal gets trapped in a snare, their first reaction is to panic. They struggle to get free, and due to the mechanism of the snare, the more they try to get away, the tighter the snare becomes. This causes deep wounds and lacerations that may become infected or lead to sepsis or death from blood loss. Furthermore, the snares may trap them in sensitive areas of their bodies, and they may die due to damage to vital organs or asphyxiation. 🪤 The individuals that are not found dead, most often die later due to complications from their injuries or the shock and stress of the ordeal, despite the best efforts of vets and wildlife experts to save them. 🪤 Many of these snares wouldn't be there in the first place if people were not demanding bushmeat as a recreational meal. What has more value? Your tradition or their lives? @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #conservation #protectwildlife #planetearth #globetrotter #ntc_natwild #saveourplanet #saveourforests
Relying on widllife authorities to end the issue of snaring by continuously searching for and confiscating snares, is like relying on beach clean ups alone to end the issue of plastic pollution. Complex issues such as these need to be tackled at the source, and in the case of indiscriminate snaring of wild animals, the root of the issue is in the existence of demand for bushmeat. If you choose to eat bushmeat, you play a role in exacerbating the problem, and there are snares in the jungle because of your consumption choices. It’s never too late to make a change, so make the right choice and say no to bushmeat. දිගින් දිගටම උගුල් සෙවීමෙන් සහ ඒවා රාජසන්තක කිරීමෙන් උගුල් ඇටවීමේ ප්රශ්නය අවසන් කිරීමට වනජීවී සංරක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව මත විශ්වාසය තැබීම, ප්ලාස්ටික් දූෂණය පිළිබඳ ප්රශ්නය අවසන් කිරීම සඳහා වෙරළ පිරිසිදු කිරීම මත පමණක් රඳා සිටීම වැනිය. මෙවැනි සංකීර්ණ ප්රශ්න මූලාශ්රයෙන් විසඳා ගත යුතු අතර, වන සතුන් අසීමිත ලෙස උගුල්වල අසුවීමේ ප්රශ්නයේ මුල වන්නේ දඩමස් සඳහා ඇති ඉල්ලුමයි. ඔබ දඩමස් අනුභව කිරීමට තෝරා ගන්නේ නම්, ගැටලුව උග්ර කිරීමට සෘජුවම දායක වන අතර, කැලයේ උගුල් අටවා ඇත්තේ ඔබේ පරිභෝජනයේ තේරීම් නිසාය. වෙනසක් කිරීමට කිසි විටෙකත් ප්රමාද නැත. එබැවින් නිවැරදි තේරීමක් කර දඩමසින් වැළකෙමු. பொறிகளைத் தொடர்ந்து தேடிப் பிடித்துப் பறிமுதல் செய்வதன் மூலம் பிரச்சினையை முடிவுக்குக் கொண்டுவர DWC-யை நம்புவது, பிளாஸ்டிக் மாசு பிரச்சினையை முடிவுக்குக் கொண்டுவர கடற்கரை சுத்தம் செய்வதை மட்டுமே நம்பியிருப்பது போன்றது. இது போன்ற சிக்கலான பிரச்சினைகள் மூலத்தில் கையாளப்பட வேண்டும். வன விலங்குகளின் கண்மூடித்தனமான பொறி விஷயத்தில், பிரச்சினையின் மையம் வனவிலங்கு மாமிச தேவை இருப்பதே ஆகும். நீங்கள் வனவிலங்கு மாமிசம் சாப்பிட விரும்பினால், இப் பிரச்சனையை அதிகப்படுத்துவதில் நீங்கள் பங்கு வகிக்கிறீர்கள். உங்கள் நுகர்வு தேர்வுகளின் காரணமாகத்தான் காட்டில் பொறிகள் வைக்கப்படுகின்றன. மாற்றங்களைச் செய்ய இது ஒருபோதும் தாமதமாகாது, எனவே "வனவிலங்கு மாமிசம் வேண்டாம்" என்று சொல்லுங்கள். @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund #saynotobushmeat #smallcatadvocacy #wild #srilanka #conservation #nopoaching #educate
With a delicious bushmeat curry in front of you it’s easy to forget the victims involved. Not only the wildboar or deer whose meat has been used for your meal, but an array of other wild animals, including endangered species, die as bycatch in snares everyday. Snares don’t discriminate and can’t decide which animal to clasp to. YOU make that decision and put the whole pyramid of animals at risk when you demand that bushmeat curry. You have the power to help topple the bycatch pyramid by saying no to bushmeat. ඔබ ඉදිරිපිට රසවත් දඩමස් ව්යංජනයක් තිබියදී, එයට ගොදුරු වූ අසරණ වණ සතුන් අමතක කිරීම පහසුය. ඔබේ ආහාර වේල සඳහා භාවිතා වන්නේ වල් ඌරු මස් හෝ මුව මස් පමණක් නොව, දිනපතා උගුල්වලට හසු වී මිය යන අනෙකුත් වනජීවීන් ද ඇතුලත් වේ. මොවුන්ගෙන් සමහරක් වඳවීමේ තර්ජනයට ලක්ව ඇති විශේෂ. උගුල්වලට, එවාට අසු වන සතුන් එකිනෙකා වෙනස් කොට හඳුනාගන්න බෑ. එම තීරණය ඇත්තේ ඔබේ අතේ. ඔබ දඩමස් ව්යංජනය ඉල්ලා සිටින විට, උගුලකට අසුවිය හැකි සෑම සතෙක්ගේ ජීවිතයක්ම ඔබ අවදානමට ලක් කරයි. දඩමසින් වැළකීමට තීරනයක් ගැනීමෙන්, වල් ඌරන්, මුවන් වැනි දඩමසට ඉලක්ක කර ගන්නා වණ සතුන් මෙන්ම, අනෙකුත් සත්වයින්ද, උගුල්වලට අසු වීමේ ඉරණමින් බේරා ගැනීමට ඔබට බලය ඇත. உங்களுக்கு முன்னால் ஒரு சுவையான வனவிலங்கு கறி இருந்தால்இ அக்கறியை கொடுப்பதற்கு பலியாகிய விலங்குகளை மறப்பது எளிது. உங்கள் உணவிற்கு பயன்படுத்தப்பட்;ட காட்டுப்பன்றிகள் அல்லது மான்கள் மட்டுமின்றிஇ அழிந்து வரும் விலங்குகள் உட்பட மற்றய வன விலங்குகளும் பொறிகளில் சிக்கி தினமும் இறக்கின்றன. போறிகள் பாகுபாடு காட்டுவதி;ல்லை மற்றும் எவ்விலங்குகளை பிடிக்க வேண்டும் என்பதை தீர்மாணிப்பதில்லை. வனவிலங்கு கறியை நீங்கள் நுகரும் அல்லது கோரும் போதுஇ விலங்குகளின் முழு பிரமிட்டையூம் ஆபத்துக்குள்;ளாவதற்கான முடிவை நீங்களே எடுக்கின்றீh;கள். வனவிலங்கு இறைச்சி வேண்டாம் என்று கூறி பொறிகளுக்கு இறையாகும் அனைத்து விலங்குகளினதும் பிரமிட்டை கவிழ்க்க உதவூம் சக்தி உங்களிடம் உள்ளது. 🐆 @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund 🐆 #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #conservation #protectwildlife #planetearth #globetrotter #ntc_natwild #saveourplanet #saveourforests
Although mongooses are reputed for their ability to avoid, tackle and sometimes kill snakes and even have a tolerance to the neurotoxicity of some snake species, a large Indian rock python (python molorus) seems to have been slightly out of this one's league. 🐍🦎🪳🦂🥚 Mongooses are mesocarnivorous and predominantly feed on insects, small reptiles, arachnids and even bird eggs but when challenged by something larger, they can put up a fierce fight. 🐍 Unfortunately for this mongoose (Herpestes smiththi), in this instance, the python turned the tables using sheer strength and asphyxiation was inevitable. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat 📷 image credits: @anjallee.prabha #mongoose #mesocarnivore #predator #python #herpestessmithii #Wild #SmallCatAdvocacy #research #conservation #globetrotter #photooftheday #wildlifeconservation #wildlifephotography #photo
Here's another update on @ramamishra 's study on fishing cats! Together with @ashanthudugala the @teraifishingcatproject team began looking for evidence of fishing cats by detecting the presence of scat (fishing cat poop 💩). This combined with camera trapping which was done in 2018 by @swekiam_ at this site, the beautiful Jagdishpur reservoir in Nepal, will provide information of their presence and how to take further measures to study the species and aid in their conservation. 🐾📷 Setting up camera traps is much more than just finding a spot that seems suitable at the time. It involves surveying the site and scanning the location for evidence of the target species and using methods and techniques that will produce the best results over a certain time period which isn't as simple as it seems 😉. 🙏🐾🎣😺 We wish Rama the best with her new project and we're excited to see what comes of this new endeavour to protect the fishing cats of this region. @urbanfishingcat #SmallCatAdvocacy #smallwildcats #Nepal #conservation #Wild #nature #fishingcat #research #scat #spoor #cameratrap #fishingcatconservationalliance #this is wilderness #globetrotter #Srilanka #kandy
While the use of indiscriminate #snares is one of the most popular methods of acquiring #bushmeat, it is not the only one. The #carcass in the #photo and video above are those of a leopard killed in Maduru Oya national park by #gunshot. The person responsible for this crime was arrested along with the meat and the weapon used. It is believed that this animal was hunted for the sale of its meat. Even though the perpetrator was arrested, that is another #leopard that is dead. Despite this not being a case of #bycatch as is often the situation with leopards #killed by snares, the problem at the root remains the same: the demand for #exoticbushmeat. Without #demand, the supply will cease to exist. You have the power to prevent such horrendous incidents. Say no to bushmeat. Media and information: @leopoconsrilanka #smallcatadvocacy #leopocon #srilanka #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #conservation #wild #wildlife #protectwildlife #ecosystem #leopards @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat
The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in Nepal and Rama Mishra took Ashan through her study site in this reserve to check camera traps. Walking along the paths and through the forest, inhabitated by these mysterious cats, is enough to put a smile on the faces of these passionate conservationists and keep them motivated to do great work to conserve this species. Field work can be complicated and camera trapping can be unexpectedly tough, but every effort is worth it to gather data which contributes to conservation. @urbanfishingcat @teraifishingcatproject @savefishingcat #conservation #SmallCatAdvocacy #cats #nature #wildlife #cameratrap #animals #fieldwork #team #teamwork
In the lab, at the University of Colombo, the team is now looking at cross sections of hair of prey species of the fishing cat and while doing this, they came across a few fun shapes and even faces! Some looked like black holes and others like little Kodama forest spirits as mentioned by @urbanfishingcat. Go check out their post of the cute face! All in all it was a fun and productive day at the lab observing the medulla and cortex of different hairs and photographing them with a fancy camera attached to the microscope. In case you were wondering what a cortex and medulla are; well the cortex is found between the cuticle (the outer part of hair) and medulla (innermost layer). The cortex is the thickest layer and contains most of the hair's pigment which gives it it's color. This pigment is melanin which is also found in skin. The medulla is the innermost layer and sometimes barely visible and some mammals don't even have a medulla. Both the medulla and cortex are important in species identification and you'll soon get to see how we use these features to tell what animals the fishing cats have been feeding on. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #conservation #education #SmallCatAdvocacy #nature #upclose #wildcats #wildlife #science #Srilanka #fishingcat #animals
A mean and grouchy looking swamp dwelling cat, the Fishing Cat, is a nocturnal predator that roams the waters edge at night, looking for fish, frogs, crustaceans, snakes, birds etc. Wetlands are the favorite habitats of the fishing cat. In India, fishing cats are mainly found in the mangrove forests, wetlands and swamps, the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys and in the Western Ghats. . . . . . . #fishingcat #feline #smallcats #swampcat #wetland #mangrove #vunerable #femlens #india #mangroves #natureinfocus #femalephotographers #indiawildlifeofficail #wildlifeofindia #ig_captures #ig_discover_wildlife #igscwildlife #igscwildlife #bbcearth #disvoveryindia #travelshots #wildlife_inspired #wildlifeperfection #awpc #awpchk #natgeoyourlens #yourlens #fishingcats #smallcatadvocacy #sanctuaryasia
There is so much wonder and beauty to behold in Sri Lanka. From the lush, rich lands full of diverse and mesmerizing species of animals and plants, to the unparalleled warmth, hospitality and perseverance of the Sri Lankan people. As lovers of our country and all its inhabitants we should be inspired to do everything in our power to protect and preserve our motherland. When the destructive effects of bushmeat demand and consumption are now clear, why then would we still want to participate in this industry? Born of ignorance and desperation, the bushmeat industry not only snares and destroys the lives and families of our precious wildlife, but also creates a range of risks for people; suppliers and consumers. There is no place for it in the future peaceful and empathetic Sri Lanka we all envision. Let’s keep our country alive and beautiful. Say NO to bushmeat. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #conservation #protectwildlife #planetearth #globetrotter #ntc_natwild #saveourplanet #saveourforests
Go Fish One of India's most enigmatic and elusive predators, hunting in the waterways of wetlands and swamps, the FISHING CAT. . . . . #fishingcat #feline #smallcats #swampcat #wetland #mangrove #vunerable #femlens #india #mangroves #safaritime #femalephotographers #indiawildlifeofficail #wildlifeofindia #ig_captures #ig_discover_wildlife #igscwildlife #igscwildlife #bbcearth #disvoveryindia #travelshots #wildlife_inspired #wildlifeperfection #awpc #awpchk #natgeoyourlens #yourlens #fishingcats #smallcatadvocacy
The Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance is a team of conservationists, researchers and enthusiasts around the world working to achieve a single dream which is to protect coastal ecosystems and floodplains to ensure the survival of the fishing cat and all species within it. The best part about this alliance is the support that all members provide one another and @savefishingcat Ashan Thudugala has met up with the Terai Fishing Cat Project team to discuss actions moving forward in order expand their efforts in the conservation of the fishing cat. Make sure to follow @fishingcatconservationalliance and @teraifishingcatproject to find out more! #SmallCatAdvocacy #conservation #Wild #Nepal #srilanka #fishingcat
We all love sighting and engaging with the wildlife of Sri Lanka. What’s important to remember is that these animals are sentient beings and also deserve their right to life and freedom. We are destroying what we love by engaging in behavior that harms them and their eco-systems. The consumption of bushmeat puts at risk all the wild animals you go on safari with the hope of encountering as many also die as bycatch… so why consume bushmeat? Protect our wildlife, be a responsible eco-tourist and say NO to bushmeat. Artwork by @sharya.wick @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #conservation #protectwildlife #planetearth #globetrotter #ntc_natwild #saveourplanet #saveourforests
Butterflies make the world a more colourful place adding a special touch to nature with their fluttering paths and vibrant colors. 🦋 Apart from painting a pretty picture, butterflies also have important ecosystem roles to play. They aid in pollination as they land on flowers to feed on nectar and as they do this the pollen from these flowers gets stuck to their bodies and as the butterflies move onto other species of flowers they help to pollinate them as well. 🐛🦋 Butterflies also eat weedy plants in their caterpillar stage and adult butterfly species will even feed on rotting fruit, carrion or animal excrement thus, ridding the environment of waste. 🕷🦎🐦 During any stage of their life cycle butterflies provide a food source for other animals such as birds, lizards, spiders, small mammals and even other insects so they are an essential part of the food cycle. 🦋 Butterflies can also be used as an ecosystem barometer. Scientists will use the presence or absence of butterflies as a predictor of whether an ecosystem is healthy. Changes in climate can effect temperature and rainfall which will impact migration patterns. Even loss or fragmentation of habitats may cause a change in populations of butterflies and ecologists will study their behaviour, populations and migration patterns to determine the impact of these environmental issues. 🦋 Butterflies clearly have an important role to play and even in our home gardens they have a lot to offer in terms of their beauty and how they aid in pollinating plants we so love to grow. If the plants you grow in your garden aren't attracting butterflies or being eaten by caterpillars then you're definitely not doing something right therefore it's always best to grow species that are native to your area to attract more of these colorful beauties that keep the ecosystem healthy @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #butterfly #SmallCatAdvocacy #Wild #wildlife #srilanka #ecosystem
The Asian palm civet (Paradoxorus hermaphroditus) is a common species of civet that many humans, even in cities will have come across. Humans will often say that civets have encroached into their space but I'm sure the civets would say the same about humans. 🐀🍒 These mesocarnivorous mammals feed on rodents, other small mammals, insects and vegetation and they do also feed on berries as is clear in the second image if you swipe left. 🌏 The Asian palm civet is distributed throughout tropical forests of southern India, Sri Lanka, South-east Asia and southern China. They are well adapted to surviving in highly urbanized areas as well which is why we often hear them making a ruckus on our rooftops every now and then. Despite the occasional scuffle happening up there these mammals can play an important ecosystem role in controlling populations of rodents, therefore having civets around isn't too bad and you can occasionally get an adorable image of them staring down at you from the ceiling if you're lucky. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat Image credit : @la.arnold24 #conservation #ecosystem #SmallCatAdvocacy #Srilanka #Wild #wildlifeconservation #civets #asianpalmcivet
In the case of many wild animals, the mother-child bond is as strong as in human relationships. When snares kill animals, not only is it devastating in itself, but it tears animal families apart. When babies are snared, mothers may mourn for weeks and when mothers are snared, baby animals are left helpless and defenseless and may often die themselves due to the lack of protection and/or food. For you it's the trivial enjoyment of one curry one time, for them- their whole lives change in a single second. Supply would not exist without demand, so if you don’t want to kill animals and destroy animal families, say NO to bushmeat. Art work by @wildlifescribbles @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #conservation #protectwildlife #planetearth #globetrotter #ntc_natwild #saveourplanet #saveourforests
The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is one of the most colourful and beautiful birds and is called a common kingfisher due to it's wide distribution over Europe, Asia and North Africa. In the wetlands of Colombo, it is often found perched on a branch over water with its brilliant jewel like shine, making it an excellent subject for photography and it is species such as this and other wildlife that makes the wetlands so special and giving it value to birders and photographers. 💎 Fun fact: They must eat at least their own body weight in prey, per day, which usually comprises of fish. Photo credits: @indika_nettigama @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat #commonkingfisher #smallcatadvocacy #Wild #wildlife #conservation #colombo #Srilanka #wetlands
Why is it that wild cat's, as well as, domestic cat's seem to be more active at night, rather than in the day time? ✨️🧬 The answer lies in their genetics. Cat's are instinctively "crepuscular" which means they are active at dusk and dawn when there is still a little light in the sky, however they are also active in the later hours of the night too. 🐈 Cats are innate hunters and their best chance of encountering prey species is at the early hours of the evening and morning. They reserve their energy in the daytime and at night they become efficient nocturnal predators. 🌙☀️ Although most wildlife are active at certain times of the day as a "rule of thumb", most predators, including cats are always opportunistic, grabbing what prey they can when an easy chance presents itself. #wild #conservation #Srilanka #smallcatadvocacy #Colombo #wetlands #allthingswild #fishingcat #nocturnal #crepascular @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat
Pictured: Five dog carcasses that were to be sold as bushmeat found in a restaurant in Kurunegala. (SOURCE: Wildlife Crime Prevention Project - Sri Lanka - 2016) Supply will always follow demand. As long as people are asking for wildboar or deer meat curries when they go on their safari holidays, the people who make money from supplying it will always find something to sell you… even if it isn't really what you think it is. Snares don’t discriminate, so when they trap the wrong animal or don’t trap anything at all, poachers will often slaughter animals that are easy to catch, such as stray dogs or domesticated water buffalo and pass it off as what you asked for. If you don’t see the whole process from snare to table, how can you really be sure what meat it is in your curry? Not only does snaring cause the loss of many animals’ lives including endangered and vulnerable species, have detrimental effects on the wider eco-systems and increase the health risks to the consumers. It all may be for the wrong meat. Ask yourself then, is it worth it? Say NO to bushmeat. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #conservation #protectwildlife #planetearth #globetrotter #ntc_natwild #saveourplanet #saveourforests
What does cat scat look like 💩❓ Cat scat can turn up in a number of unexpected places, even small wild cats can defecate in your garden, but how can you tell if it indeed belongs to a cat? Cats would often choose the same spot or similar areas to defecate. This sample of a small wild cat scat is one of several that was found along a path which means that this path is its preferred toilet zone. 😺 So if you get repeated scat in the same area that looks similar to this, then it likely belongs to a cat. Cat scat is often harder than dog scat and if its a healthy individual it should not smell too bad. It is usually a deep brown color, tubular in shape and can come in different sizes depending on the species and size of the individual. It will sometimes contain the hairs of animals it has consumed or even its own hairs from grooming itself too. If you open it up you may even find feathers and bone fragments from prey animals and maybe even none of these and simply just hair alone. These are a few key things to consider when trying to discern if the scat you see is indeed that of a cat! @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @anyaratnayaka @ashanthudugala #catscat #poop #scat #samllwildcats #conservation #spoor #traces #wild #wildcats #srilanka🇱🇰 #smallcatadvocacy #globetrotter
Imprinted on the sandy banks of a brackish lagoon in Mannar, a fishing cat leaves its trace. Although elusive, the fishing cat is an iconic species to these wetlands, a perfectly adapted predator, mastering the ways of catching fish, among other forms of prey. Their paws are even slightly different from most other cats, having only semi retractable claws on their hind paws that aid their grip when swiping at fishing from the waters edge. It's when we come across clear tracks like this that we are reminded of the presence of the secretive fishing cat. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @anyaratnayaka @ashanthudugala #srilanka🇱🇰 #smallwildcats #fishingcat #pugmarks #smallcatadvocacy #wildlife #globetrotter #planetearth #mannar #wetlands #lagoon 📸 Photo credits - @arran_sivarajah
The knock-on effects of demanding bushmeat as a holiday tradition are much greater than one might expect. It is always disheartening to hear of the unnecessary deaths of Vulnerable (IUCN) Sri Lankan leopards, and maybe there is the tendency to lay blame on the poachers setting snares, or the Department of Wildlife Conservation for “not doing their jobs better”. However, it is important to understand how our actions may in fact be linked to these deaths. The snares laid that led to the demise of these leopards were set to trap animals to supply bushmeat, this means there is elsewhere to lay blame, and personal habits to reassess. Ask yourself… What is more important? Their lives or the triviality of our taste buds? 🐆 @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund 🐆 #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #conservation #protectwildlife #planetearth #globetrotter #ntc_natwild #saveourplanet #saveourforests
When an animal gets trapped in a snare, their first reaction is to panic. They struggle to get free, and due to the mechanism of the snare, the more they try to get away, the tighter the snare becomes. This causes deep wounds and lacerations that may become infected or lead to sepsis or death from blood loss. Furthermore, the snares may trap them in sensitive areas of their bodies, and they may die due to damage to vital organs or asphyxiation. 🪤 The individuals that are not found dead, most often die later due to complications from their injuries or the shock and stress of the ordeal, despite the best efforts of vets and wildlife experts to save them. 🪤 Many of these snares wouldn't be there in the first place if people were not demanding bushmeat as a recreational meal. What has more value? Your tradition or their lives? @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @leopoconsrilanka @parrotfishcollective @lanka.environment.fund #saynotobushmeat #nopoaching #SmallCatAdvocacy #srilanka🇱🇰 #conservation #protectwildlife #planetearth #globetrotter #ntc_natwild #saveourplanet #saveourforests
Posted @withregram • @rotaract.ccs Fishing🎣 cats are quite timid creatures, thus they are rarely seen by humans, yet they remain fascinating creatures for humans to explore. Fishing cats live in wetlands, which have a very dynamic environment and provide a range of ecosystem services. 📅 Date : 12th March ⏰ Time : 6.00PM onwards 📌 Venue : ZOOM 🗣️ Language : English https://forms.gle/feT1X36GeP18AZ4z6 Fill the form above and join the WhatsApp group as RAC CCS is embarking on an initiative under the Environmental Services🍃 avenue to raise awareness🗣️ among the youth on Fishing Cats🐯. Go ahead and register now! Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more about the conservation of fishing cats! #smallcatadvocacy #conservation #education #fishingcats #srilanka #Colombo #science #protectwildlife #wetlands
Has this fishing cat got laser beams for eyes? Or is there an explanation for that captivating glow? This actually happens because of a layer of tissue behind the retina that reflects light and not because it has super powers or can shoot out laser beams; although that would be really cool. 👀 This layer of highly reflective tissue is found behind the retina of many vertebrate species, although is not present in humans and some other primates. Their glow can appear in a variety of colors because the color of the glow depends on what the tapetum lucidum is made of. In cats' eyes, it is made of molecules called riboflavin and zinc and it is the amount of zinc that determines how yellow, blue or green the glow appears. 🌚☀️ Because these cats are "crepuscular", meaning mostly active at dusk and dawn when natural light is minimal, they need an extra bit of equipment to aid them in eyesight precision. 👀🔦 The tapetum lucida (Latin translation: bright tapestry) picks up any light that passes through the retina, bouncing it back towards light sensitive cells giving it a second chance to be detected. Not all of the light is picked up a second time and some of it passes through the retina again, traveling through the front of the eye ball which is what makes cats eyes glow when light is shone into them. 🌱 As much as these spectacular cats are equipped to dominate in their field of expertise, "laser eyes" is explained by simple biology. @urbanfishingcat @savefishingcat @anyaratnayaka @ashanthudugala @fishingcatconservationallianc #SmallCatAdvocacy #smallwildcats #tapetumlucidum #biology #research #fishingcats #srilanka #Colombo #conservation #allthingswild
I’m very excited to be placed up here, as I can’t jump this high! . . . . . #smallcat #smallcatadvocacy #kitchendesign #smallcatbigblep #smallcatbigdreams #smallcatbigworld #gingercat #fluffycat #smallcatdiary #smallcater #meowmoew #meow #smallcatering #gatos #smallcateringkl #scottishfoldkittens #smallcateringpasirgudang #scottishfolds #sweetcatclub #smallcatgoeslatina #smallcath #cutecat #cutecats #smallcatproblems #smallcats #smallcatsofinstagram #scottishfold #smallcatustakeover #gatos #smallcatworld