Image supply, CURRAGHS WILDLIFE PARK
Keepers mentioned Benny the fishing cat was “a superb age”
A uncommon fishing cat that was a “favorite with workers, volunteers and guests” at a zoo on the Isle of Man has died, keepers have mentioned.
The feline, who was greater than 12 years old, was one among two of the cats housed on the Curraghs Wildlife Park.
Keepers mentioned the typical lifespan for the species was between 10 and 12 years and the male fishing cat, named Benny, had been identified with osteoarthritis final 12 months.
A spokeswoman for the park mentioned the animal would “nonetheless be missed” regardless of reaching “a superb age”.
In a submit on Facebook, keepers mentioned Benny had been receiving ache aid for his situation however “out of the blue went off his meals” final week and died “earlier than an investigative aesthesia may very well be executed”.
Breeding programme
The remaining fishing cat on the park, a feminine named Diane, was additionally about 12 years old the spokeswoman mentioned.
It was hoped the studbook for the European Endangered Species would have the ability to establish “some younger cats prepared to go away their dad and mom” and be relocated to because the Ballaugh park, she mentioned.
“We would love to proceed with this endangered species,” she added.
Native to Asia, fishing cats might be discovered within the wild in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
The animals are categorised as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The species stays beneath risk from a lack of wetland habitat, water air pollution and pesticide poisoning.
In 2021 the park’s conservation fund contributed over £3,500 to the Urban Fishing Cat Project, which displays and protects the species in Sri Lanka.
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