The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat adapted to wetland environments. Habitat loss and human conflict threaten its survival across Southeast Asia.
Fishing cats face welfare challenges on multiple fronts. Habitat loss forces individuals into fragmented wetlands where prey becomes scarce and human contact increases. Cats that enter aquaculture ponds are frequently killed by farmers protecting their stock. Snares set for other animals injure and kill fishing cats. In captivity, fishing cats require large, water-rich enclosures — access to clean water for swimming and fishing enrichment is essential for behavioral welfare. Captive fishing cats without aquatic enrichment display significant stereotypic behavior. Conservation programs combining community education, farmer compensation schemes, and wetland restoration address both population viability and individual welfare outcomes.