Fishing cats are semi-aquatic wild cats that require specialized aquatic environments in captivity. Meeting their unique needs is essential for their welfare and conservation value.
Fishing cats pose a significant welfare design challenge in captivity. Unlike most felids, they are fundamentally water-associated animals whose behavioral repertoire depends on aquatic access. A fishing cat without a substantial pool for swimming and diving is unable to express core behavioral patterns — a welfare failure analogous to keeping a polar bear without access to cold environments. Good welfare for fishing cats requires large water features deep enough for diving, naturalistic substrates, humidity management reflecting their wetland origin, and feeding enrichment that uses water as a hunting medium. Zoo facilities that meet these requirements show fishing cats with rich behavioral profiles; those that do not see chronic stereotypic behavior and lethargy.