During the last several months we have been frantically working to stabilize the killing of fishing cats in this sometimes deadly landscape. Eight of the 15 cats we have radio-collared have died or otherwise disappeared. Retribution killing of cats appears to remain the biggest threat to fishing cats in this landscape.

Included in the list of casualties is Chogun—the latest male to have been captured and collared. Chogun was originally captured in response to a request from a local resident whose chicken enclosure had apparently been raided by a fishing cat. We captured the apparently guilty cat, Chogun, and, while he was sedated, called an impromptu meeting of about 20 local residents and community leaders. We asked whether people would rather have the cat removed from the landscape altogether (perhaps to become part of Thailand’s conservation breeding program) or share an effort to track his movements and learn more about fishing cats in general. After deliberating for more than an hour, the group decided to release Chogun back into the landscape so he could remain a part of this important wild population. For several weeks, we tracked his movements and then he abruptly disappeared. It is rumored that he had been shot and the shooter had buried the collar. We have not been able to identify the person who apparently shot Chogun and were not able to locate the collar.

Given this and other continuing signs of fishing cat persecution, our focus in the past two months has been generating broader support for protect fishing cats. In February, we contacted the Governor of Prachuab Khiri Khan province and I was able to meet with him in mid February to discuss our concerns. The governor took the issue very seriously and called for a meeting with a large number of community leaders near Khao Sam Roi Yod to discuss the situation. We are happy to report that uptake of the issue has been swift and positive. I will detail these developments in our next update.