Sri Lanka’s small cats in big trouble!
View(s):Wildlife and Nature Protection Society monthly lecture
Lurking in the shadow of big cats like the leopard, are 34 species of small cats. These animals get little to no media attention, and are some of the most under-researched and under-funded species worldwide. Despite being apex predators and umbrella species in their respective habitats and niches, these small cats are some of the least studied animals in the world, and are currently facing many threats, mostly due to habitat loss. If we do not understand, value and protect these species, they may not be around for future generations to enjoy.
In this month’s Wildlife and Nature Protection Society lecture to be held on Thursday, October 20 at 6 p.m. at the Cinema Lounge of the BMICH, Anya Ratnayaka will touch upon the three small cat species we have in Sri Lanka, focusing on the fishing cat, which she conducts research on.
The public lecture is open to all members and non-members, admission free.
A chance encounter with an orphaned fishing cat in 2012, made Anya pivot from studying the Sri Lankan leopard, and focus solely on this elusive, amphibious feline. She started the Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project in 2013. Though fishing cat presence in Colombo was confirmed in a study done in 2006, Anya’s project focuses on studying how the species is adapting to the rapid clearing of their urban wetland habitat.
A member of the Fishing Cat Working Group, Anya is currently working closely with the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation & Development Corporation, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the Environmental Foundation (Guarantee) Limited, to uncover the secret lives of this endangered species, and understand how we can better protect them.
| Ananda College Past Teachers’ mark Silver Jubilee with almsgiving The Past Teachers’ Association of Ananda College celebrates its Silver Jubilee this year. The society was established to look after the welfare of past teachers and keep the links alive even after their retirement. To commemorate the occasion, an almsgiving will be held on October 29, under the patronage of Most Ven.Diviyagaha Yasassi Thera for 25 priests at the Buddhist Institute, Watarappala Road, Mount Lavinia. The association invites members and the close family members of past teachers of Ananda who have passed away for the event. They are requested to confirm their participation on or before October 25 to the Secretary on 0714402652. |