Rusty spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 14259054

Survey and Ecological study of the Rusty Spotted cat and activities that threaten their survival in Sri Lanka.

Nocturnal and highly elusive Rusty Spotted Cats are classified under the endangered category in the I.U.C.N Red list 2012. Rusty spotted cats have been recorded in various habitats throughout the island, including dry zone areas such as Yala national park and Udawalawe national park in densely vegetated areas (Kittle and Watson 2004, Patel 2006). They have also been found in Montane and lowland rainforests in Sri Lanka (Deraniyagala 1956). However all these sightings and observations have been made during research focused on other species, and no study has been done in Sri Lanka purely focusing on the rusty spotted cat. So it is important to conduct a study to properly understand the species. Small rodents are known to be their main prey in India (Patel 2006) This could also be the same for Sri Lanka and this would mean that they are a natural source of pest control for cultivated areas conformation of this would mean that they are important to the biodiversity of and areas especially if they prey on feral rodents that are in competition with the many endemic rodents of Sri Lanka.
With the rapid increase in the human population areas that are being cleared for development and agriculture is also increasing, and this can be said to be the major threat to the Rusty Spotted Cats. Also with the increase in agriculture the numbers of pests will also increase and if the Rusty Spotted cats are preying on these pests it will be more valuable to make a conservation plan as they are a natural pest control and the use of chemicals can also be reduced as well as the disease that are carried by these pest that infect humans can also be reduced. Hence it is important that this species be studied and a proper conservation plan is put in to action. Also it is important to find out the interaction between the cats and humans in areas close to the cats habitats for example to study whether the cats prey on livestock and small domestic animals or do they keep away from humans. Also being the smallest cat species in the world it should be considered a national heritage, but it is hardly know to the general public and one part of the project would be education programs for the general public through schools and a small media campaign.
The project in the 1st phase includes an extensive camera trap study conducted in one dry zone habitat and a wet zone habitat. And a survey to identify existing threats as well as interactions with human populations. Once sufficient data is gathered it will be used to conduct education programs to people in close proximity to the habits as well as school and using media also the general public. The second phase would be using GSM GPS collars to identify the home ranges of the individual cats and help in formulating a conservation plan for conservationists as well government officials.