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Draft Concept Paper submitted by IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Sri

Lanka Country Office

 

Project Title: Conservation of Wild Cats in Sri Lanka

 

Implementing Agencies:

Lead Organisation: IUCN – The World Conservation Union, Sri Lanka

Partner Organisations: Department of Zoology - Open University, Sri Lanka

Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sri Lanka

Zoological Gardens, Sri Lanka

 

Background

 

There are four species of wild cats found in Sri Lanka; the Leopard

(Panthera pardus), the Indian Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), the

Indian Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) and the Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus

rubiginosus). All of them are considered nationally threatened (IUCN Sri

Lanka, 2000), while the Leopard is considered as globally threatened

(Hilton-Taylor, 2000).

 

The Leopard is the largest wild cat in Sri Lanka. A molecular genetic

analysis of leopards of the world by Miththapala et al. (1996) revealed the

Sri Lankan Leopard to be a distinct sub-species, and hence re-named it as

Panthera pardus kotiya – a geographically isolated group. Although the

Leopard roamed throughout the country about 100 years ago (Phillips, 1984),

it is believed that the numbers have fallen by 75% since the turn of last

century (Nowell and Jackson, 1996). Today, it is restricted mainly to

protected areas (PA’s), and the population could not be more than 500

individuals at most, of which the majority occurs in three National Parks –

Yala, Wilpattu and Horton Plains.

 

The Fishing Cat is smaller than the Leopard, and is found throughout the

country including heavily populated suburbs of the capital city of Colombo.

It is typically found in wetland habitats such as swamps, marshes, reed

beds, mangroves and also visits man-made wetlands such as rice fields. The

fishing cat is a nocturnal hunter and feeds on fish, small reptiles such as

lizards and skinks, frogs and crabs. It is also presumed to feed on birds

and mammals (Phillips,1984).

 

The Jungle Cat is smaller to the fishing cat. The sub species Felis chaus

kelaarti is unique to Southern India and Sri Lanka (Phillips, 1984). It is

usually found amongst long grass and scrubland of the dry zone and rarely in

open jungle (Phillips, 1984). It is known to feed on any creature it can

overpower, including ground nesting birds and small mammals such as gerbils,

rats, mice and hares.

 

The Rusty Spotted Cat is the smallest wild cat in Sri Lanka, similar to the

size of an ordinary domestic cat. The one that occurs in Sri Lanka is unique

to the island at sub-species level (Felis rubiginosa phillipsi). It is

ubiquitous in the island, ranging from the mountains to the coastal areas in

both the wet and dry lands but nowhere in common (Phillips 1984). It’s

preferred habitats include forest and scrubland. However it is an elusive

animal that is rarely seen. The Rusty Spotted Cat is a nocturnal hunter and

mainly feeds on small birds, rodents, frogs and possibly small lizards as

well as domestic fowl. In captivity it is known to kill and eat weaker

companion (Phillips, 1984).

 

 

Justification (Project Rationale)

 

The Fauna and Flora Ordinance, administered by the Department of Wildlife

Conservation protect all four wild cats in Sri Lanka. The Leopard is

included in Appendix I of CITES, while the other three species are included

in Appendix II. Amidst these conservation measures, the wild cat populations

in Sri Lanka continue to dwindle, and hence are threatened with extinction

today. Habitat loss and degradation, poaching, threats posed by domestic

cats and dogs, scarcity of prey and road kills are amongst the major threats

currently faced by wild cats in Sri Lanka. Research on the ecology of

wildcats in Sri Lanka is scanty. The few previous works pertaining to the

wild cats in Sri Lanka has been confined to the Leopard, while the other

three species have been neglected.

 

Therefore, at present, there is a great necessity to conduct research on the

wild cats in Sri Lanka, owing to a deficiency in data pertaining to their

general ecology, veterinary aspects and population status in the wild. This

would be a prerequisite to prepare a viable conservation strategy for the

threatened wild cats in Sri Lanka. A parallel conservation breeding

programme would also have to be initiated, in order to replenish the

dwindling wild stocks, or to re-introduce individuals to protected areas

that harboured them previously. As some of the wildcats (i.e., the three

small cats) roam in human habitations/managed ecosystems outside protected

areas, and hence subjected to human-related threats, it is important to

conduct a conservation awareness programme, using them as

charismatic/flagship species. These activities proposed by IUCN Sri Lanka

can only be implemented through a fruitful collaboration with the Department

of Wildlife Conservation and the National Zoological Gardens.

 

Goals and objectives of the project:

 

The goal of the project is “to promote protection of wild cats in Sri Lanka,

through enhanced scientific knowledge on their natural history, and the

initiation of species recovery programmes.”

 

Objectives:

 

The project is envisaged to achieve the following objectives:

& #61608; By the end of 2005 the project will facilitate adopting a national

strategy for the protection of wild cats - Achievement of this objective

will be indicated by having the Species protection strategy and action plan

for wild cats

& #61608; By the year 2005, stakeholder participation in initiating captive

breeding programme for wild cats streamlined-This will be indicated by

ensuring that all key stakeholders have identified/implemented

measure/steps to protect wild cats including captive breeding programmes in

their overall wild life protection programmes

& #61608; Conservation awareness on wildcats improved. This will be indicated

by ensuring that materials for awareness creation are developed and used by

the state agencies/print and electronic media on the subject of wild cats in

Sri Lanka

 

Anticipated project Outputs & Activities

 

Outputs

1. Enhanced scientific knowledge on the natural history of wild cats and

their population/habitat status in the 04 protected areas.

2. A National strategy for protection of wild cats

3. Collective action for protection including breeding programmes initiated

with active stakeholder participation.

4. Awareness creation strategy and materials

 

 

Activities:

1. Detailed Studies on food habits, habitat relationships and population

densities of wild cats in four protected areas distributed in the major

bio-climatic zones of Sri Lanka, namely, Wasgomuwa National Park

(Intermediate/Dry Zone), Yala National Park (Dry-Arid Zone), Horton Plains

National Park (Montane Wet Zone) and the Sinharaja Forest Reserve (lowland

Wet Zone).( field ecological surveys)

2. Study the parasites, diseases and harmful pathogens of wildcats in the

above study sites (a histo-pathological study).

3. Assess and monitor specific threats to wild cats in the above study sites

through field observations, interviews with park wardens and through a

series of discussions with communities adjacent to parks.

4. Exchange of information on this subject with other countries having wild

cat protection programmes.

5. Training/information sharing programmes for park wardens of the DWLC on

habitat improvement activities of wild cats

6. Training of zoological garden curators in methods of captive breeding.

7. Initiation of a captive breeding program in the National Zoological

Gardens.

8. Production of a pictorial information guide on wild cats of Sri Lanka.

9. Awareness workshops for local communities and stakeholders such as CBOs,

NGOs, Universities and State Conservation Organisations, to disseminate

results of the ecological survey and captive breeding programme, and raise

conservation awareness.

 

Project strategy

The project will be implemented with close collaboration with the DWLC and

specifically with 04 park wardens of the proposed project areas and with the

Zoological Gardens. Once the donors accept the concept, discussions will be

initiated with the above stakeholders to map out the specific project sites

and to collate the existing information on the habitats.

 

The project will also have extensive field observation phase to establish

the behavioral patterns of the wild cats and technical surveys will be

carried out to collect necessary information. The detailed methodology for

the technical survey is outlined below.

 

It will also be necessary to study in detail the attitudes of the

communities who are affected by wild cat threats and their coping

mechanisms. Therefore community studies will be done using participatory

rural appraisal techniques and the information generated will be used to

develop protection strategies for the wild cats while ensuring the wild cat

threats are minimized for the affected communities.

 

The project will draw on the experiences of the technical experts of the

foreign countries in which similar programmes are successfully carried out.

Therefore exchange programmes and consultancy support from experts in the

field will be envisaged.

 

 

Methodology for technical studies

 

A. Ecological Survey

 

Food habits of wild cats will be studied by analyzing scat samples, and

direct opportunistic observations on hunting of prey.

 

Population densities would be estimated using a combination of methods,

including analysis of pug marks/tracks, water hole counts, individual body

color/mark patterns distinguished by obtaining quality photographs (using

camera traps with an IR sensor), and nocturnal road counts.

 

The home ranges of wildcats would be determined by telemetry techniques.

 

B. Histo-pathological study

 

This would be carried out by a veterinary scientist attached to the National

Zoological Gardens (with assistance from the Faculty of veterinary science

of Peradeniya campus and the Institute of veterinary sciences in Gannoruwa).

Blood samples from trapped wild animals, faecal matter and dead individuals

(subjected to road kills or noose traps) would be used for this purpose.

 

C. Assessment of threats to wild cats

 

Extensive field observations will be carried out by a research team to

assess the threats posed by the human and natural circumstances that

threaten the lives of the wild cats. Community meetings will be conducted to

assess the threats encountered the community from wild cats and their coping

mechanisms The type of traps used and repellant methods adopted by the

community will be studied.

 

D. Captive Breeding Programme

 

Expertise would be sorted from Foreign Zoos (ie., Frankfurt Zoo in Germany)

and Captive Breeding experts (ie., D. Rudiger Dmoch – Frankfurt Zoo) to

establish a captive breeding programme in Sri Lanka. Training would be

provided to local zoo keepers to manage a captive breeding programme. Wild

individuals subjected to accidents, confiscated animals and abandoned wild

cubs/juveniles would be used for the captive breeding programme.

 

Project Management and implementation:

The management of the project would be undertaken by IUCN Sri Lanka. The

Department of Wildlife Conservation and the National Zoological Gardens will

be closely involved in the project implementation. Appropriate consultants

will be assigned the task of carrying out other technical studies.

 

Project Duration: 03 years (1.5 years of field and laboratory research)

 

 

 

Monitoring and Evaluation:

 

A Project Steering Committee will be established at the inception of the

project. Members of the steering committee will comprise of representatives

from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, National Zoological Gardens, a

mammalian ecologist from a local university, and the donor agency. IUCN Sri

Lanka will submit quarterly progress reports to the Project Steering

Committee. The Steering Committee will ensure that project objectives are

met by periodic progress reviews

 

Detailed Budget (in US$)

1. Ecological Survey (including histo-pathological study)

 

Activity Unit price Amount Total

Personnel

Overall Project Coordinator

Mammalian ecologists (2)

Research Assistants (2)

Technical Assistants (2)

Field Assistants (2)

 

2000

2000

100/m x 18m

50/m x 18m

25/m x 18m

2000.00

4000.00

3600.00

1800.00

900.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,300.00

Per diem

Overall Project Co-ordinator

Mammalian ecologists

Research Assistants (2)

Technical Assistants (2)

Field Assistants (2)

 

15/d x 3d/m x 18m

15/d x 3d/m x 18m

5/d x 12d/m x 18m

4/d x 12d/m x 18m

3/d x 12d/m x 18m

 

810.00

1620.00

2160.00

1728.00

1296.00

 

 

 

 

7614.00

Equipment

1. Computer and Printer

2. GPS meters (2)

3 Camera with Tally Zoom (2)

4. Camera IR sensors (2)

5. Binoculars (2)

6. Field Camping Equipment (2 sets)

7. Binocular stereo microscope

8. Radio collars (20)

9. Tele-meters (2)

 

 

1000.00

1000.00

2000.00

500.00

500.00

1500.00

500.00

1000.00

2500.00

2000.00

2000.00

4000.00

1000.00

1000.00

1500.00

10,000.00

2,000.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,000.00

Consumables

Storage containers

Chemicals

Film rolls

Processing

750.00

750.00

1000.00

1000.00

 

 

 

3500.00

Accommodation 100/m x 18m 1800.00 1800.00

Stationary 750.00 750.00

Communications 750.00 750.00

Transport ( Project Vehicle) 0.25/Km x 2500Km/m x 18m

26,000

Other

Species conservation strategy and action plan for wild cats

Implementation of key recommendations

 

2500.00

 

10,000.00

Total 91,214.00

2. Initiation of a Captive Breeding Programme

 

Activity Unit price Amount Total

Personnel

Veterinary Scientist

Zoo keeper

Assistant

150/m x 36m

75/m x 36m

50/m x 36m

5400.00

2700.00

1800.00

 

 

9900.00

Establishment of cages 6000.00 6000.00

Training of personnel 10,000.00 10,000.00

Maintenance 100/m x 36m 3600.00 3600.00

Health care of captive animals 300/m x 36m 10,800.00 10,800.00

 

Total 40,300.00

 

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