Adorable and Rare: The Rescue of a Baby Fishing Cat in Thailand
This sweet story from 2016 is just too heart-melting not to share. One evening in Thailand, a tiny kitten was seen wandering the streets alone. A local family, out enjoying the evening, noticed the little creature and quickly realized something about him was different.
Curious, they took a closer look—and to their surprise, this wasn’t an ordinary house cat. Unsure of what they’d found, the family reached out to the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), who promptly sent a specialist to examine the mysterious kitten.
Following a thorough inspection, experts identified the kitten as a fishing cat—a rare and endangered wild species native to South and Southeast Asia. These fascinating cats are much larger than domestic cats and are uniquely adapted to aquatic life, with a strong love for hunting and eating fish.
According to Wikipedia, the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild feline that thrives in wetland habitats like mangroves, marshes, and riverbanks. Sadly, due to habitat loss and human conflict, the species has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2016. In Thailand, the situation is particularly dire, with an alarming 84% mortality rate largely due to poaching and retaliatory killings.
When WFFT responded, they determined the kitten was only a few hours old. How he had ended up abandoned in the street was a mystery—especially since mother fishing cats are typically very protective of their young.
The family who found the kitten fell in love with him instantly. WFFT allowed them to care for him temporarily, and they named him Simba. It quickly became clear that a strong bond had formed between Simba and his rescuers.
Hoping his mother might return, the family kept watch—but sadly, she never came back. Instead, they took on the role of caregivers, bottle-feeding him and giving him the love and care he needed. Simba grew up to be a healthy and striking fishing cat.
Today, Simba is alive and thriving—but his story is more than just adorable. His survival is a rare victory for a species struggling to hold on. Each rescued fishing cat brings hope for the future of this endangered feline.
You can see more heartwarming rescues—though not all are fishermen—in the video below. These animals may not catch fish, but they’ll definitely catch your heart.
Animals play an essential role in our ecosystem, and their survival is critical for the health of the planet. If Simba’s story touched you, please consider sharing it with others.