A newborn animal lying alone on a road is hard to ignore. A family in Thailand spotted one outside their home one evening. It looked like an ordinary kitten, but it turned out to be a wild fishing cat, a species that is losing ground across Asia.
A Call for Help
The family phoned the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), a wildlife rescue organization. The team that responded was uneasy about one thing: why was a kitten so young lying in the road with no mother nearby?
When they arrived, they found a baby only a few hours old. He was cold and badly in need of milk. The rescuers wrapped him up and carried him back to the WFFT Wildlife Hospital, where a vet kept him pressed against her chest to share her body warmth. He was given the name Simba.
Where Was His Mother?
The family explained that the kitten’s mother was no stranger to them. Years earlier, they had found her in a rice field beside their house. They raised her until she was grown, then released her back into the wild. She never fully lost touch and would sometimes return to visit the house where she grew up.
The family waited and watched for her, hoping she would come back for her newborn. She never did.
Meet the Fishing Cat
The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) lives in the wetlands of South and Southeast Asia. It is about twice the size of a domestic cat and typically weighs 6 to 12 kg. It is also unusual among cats for how much it enjoys water. Fishing cats swim and dive well, thanks to waterproof fur and partly webbed feet, and fish are their favorite meal.
A Species Under Pressure
Since 2016, the fishing cat has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Wetland destruction is the biggest problem, and persecution and hunting add to it.
WFFT highlights a three-year radio-tracking study in Thailand that followed 16 fishing cats and recorded 84% mortality, mostly from poaching and retaliatory killing. Researchers who reviewed the species’ status in Thailand describe its remaining range as fragmented, concentrated mainly in coastal wetlands. With numbers like these, every rescued kitten counts.
Found a Baby Animal? Here’s What to Do, and What to Budget For
Simba’s story raises a question many animal lovers face: what do you do when you find a newborn animal?
- Call the experts first. Wild species need specialist care, and many are legally protected. They are not pets.
- For a domestic kitten, keep it warm, use a kitten milk replacer rather than cow’s milk, and see a vet quickly. Very young kittens can deteriorate fast.
- Plan for vet costs. Exams, vaccinations, parasite control and spaying or neutering add up. That is why many owners compare pet insurance plans for accidents and illness before an emergency happens.
- Get the basics. A new kitten needs kitten-formulated food, a heat source, bedding, a litter tray and a carrier. Kitten starter kits and milk replacer brands are worth comparing.
- Back the rescuers. Wildlife hospitals rely on public support, so donating or sponsoring an animal is a direct way to help.
Why This Story Matters
By calling professionals instead of trying to keep the animal, the family gave a newborn fishing cat the best possible chance. For a species in decline, that kind of quick, responsible decision can make a real difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fishing cat?
It is a medium-sized wild cat from South and Southeast Asia that lives near wetlands and hunts fish.
Is the fishing cat endangered?
It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, mainly because of wetland loss and persecution.
Can a fishing cat be kept as a pet?
No. It is a protected wild animal that needs specialist care and should only be handled by wildlife professionals.
What should I do if I find a newborn kitten alone?
Keep it warm, don’t give it cow’s milk, and contact a vet or rescue group right away. If you think it may be a wild species, call a wildlife rescue organization.
Does pet insurance cover a rescued kitten?
It depends on the provider. Many policies cover accidents and illness in domestic cats, so check the terms, waiting periods and exclusions before signing up.
How can I help protect wild cats?
Support reputable rescue and conservation groups, back wetland protection, and never buy or keep wild animals as pets.
Sources: Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, Love Meow, the Journal of Threatened Taxa, and Hellabrunn Zoo, all covering the rescue of a newborn fishing cat kitten in Thailand and the species’ conservation status.
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