Fishing cats are 1 of only 2 species of semi-aquatic cat and they're classed as Endangered with approximately 3000 left in the wild. There are currently 191 individuals held in zoos across the globe and Port Lympne has the largest collection in Europe and the joint 4th largest in the world.

All funds raised will be equally divided between two great causes. Our aim is to build a world class enclosure here at Port Lympne to show off the amazing behaviours of the fishing cat and highlight the threats it faces.  

The remaining funds will help the fishing cat conservation and awareness project in Sri Lanka. The project has already been raising awareness via leaflet distribution and a youth camp for school children and villagers. The team also rescues and cares for orphaned fishing cat kittens during monsoon season. As road casualties are a major cause of fishing cat deaths the team are designing road signs which will be erected in high risk killing areas.

Distribution of fishing cat data is collected through the use of camera traps, scat (poo) analysis, pug mark (footprints) census and interviewing people. Hopefully in the future fishing cats in the area will be radio collared to better understand their ecology, behaviours and conflicts they face.

The amount we need to be raised is being worked out at the moment.

The event was held on Saturday 27th September and I managed to complete it in a personal best of 2 hours and 9 minutes, despite an elbow and shoulder injury I picked up while training 2 weeks before the final swim. We still have a long way to go so although the swim is over we are still relying on your generosity.

Thank you all so much for your support.