There’s a proverb that says, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” This reminds us that we are not the last generation to roam this beautiful planet. We are also not the only species that call this planet our home at this very moment. When we don’t realize the importance of co-existence and the food chain, we push so many creatures to the verge of extinction. Directly and indirectly, we destroy their homes and kill their food supply. This problem might seem larger than life but there are plenty opportunities for us to open our eyes and hearts to the life around us, and we need to take them. That’s exactly what one family in Thailand did when they spotted a lone kitten outside their property. He was cold, hungry, and much tinier than the average cat. They called a wildlife organization to take a look at him and learned that he belonged to a rare species. Continue reading for details and photos of this story.The family was running some errands when they spotted a kitten along the road. They moved closer to get a better look and were shocked at how tiny he was; he looked like he had just been born. The Good Samaritans decided to bring the fur ball home where he would be safe and warm.
When the family brought the kitten home, they looked closely at his paws, coat and face; he didn’t look like a normal house cat. To be sure, they called the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT). They were told that he was a Fishing Cat, a rare species listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
“We were told that the mother of the fishing kitten was actually a released rescued animal that they had found in a rice field next to the house while working a few years ago,” WFFT said. “[The family had] raised the cat into adulthood and then released it back to the wild.”
It is essential for the mother to find a place safe to give birth to her litter. The mother felt safe around the family, which is probably why she came to deliver at their property. WFFT rescuers believe that she must have dropped one by mistake while moving her sweethearts to an even safer location.
The rescuers waited at the family’s house for the return of the mother but unfortunately, she never came back. “For now, he is under round the clock care from our vet team, spending his time in a special incubator that creates a perfect environment where his special needs can be met,” WFFT said. They named him Simba.
“The Fishing Cat faces a high risk of extinction throughout its range and is thought to be amongst the most vulnerable of the small and medium-sized cats in Southeast Asia,” WFFT said. We hope that the teeny feline makes it and that the world isn’t robbed of this adorable species. Kudos to the loving family that took him in when they first saw him.
