In 2016, an endearing story unfolded in Thailand when a tiny, lone kitten was spotted wandering the streets. A concerned family, captivated by the kitten’s uniqueness, reached out to The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), an animal organization, for assistance. To their surprise, it turned out that this was no ordinary cat; it was a fishing cat, a rare species teetering on the brink of extinction.

The fishing cat, larger than a typical feline and an avid marine enthusiast, is named after its penchant for hunting and devouring fish. Classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List since 2016, these cats are imperiled due to wetland destruction and a decade-long decline in their populations.

Despite hopes of reuniting the kitten with its mother, the family’s diligent watch went unrewarded. Instead, they nourished and raised the kitten, aptly named Simba, into a magnificent fishing cat.

Simba’s survival is a remarkable achievement, but it’s imperative for his species’ future. Poaching and retribution killings have taken a toll, causing an alarming 84% mortality rate among fishing cats in Thailand. Simba’s existence now symbolizes hope for the continuation of his endangered breed.