This 2016 story is simply too delightful to keep to myself. A tiny newborn cat wandered the streets of Thailand by itself. A neighboring family saw the tiny man on the street while he was out for the evening.

After closer inspection, they realized this cat was unlike any other kitten they had seen. The family called the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), an animal welfare organization, which swiftly dispatched a representative to assess the animal.

Following comprehensive research, the scientists found that this animal was a fishing cat, a rare kind of cat that is on the verge of extinction.

This “wild cat” likes aquatic life and has the potential to grow to be twice the size of a normal cat. The cat’s name stems from its fondness for hunting and eating fish.

The fishing cat, also known as Prionailurus viverrinus, is a medium-sized wild cat that lives in South and Southeast Asia, according to Wikipedia. The IUCN Red List has listed it as vulnerable since 2016. Wetland destruction poses a threat to fishercat populations, which have fallen dramatically over the last decade. Common habitats for fishing cats include marshes, swamps, mangroves, oxbow lakes, rivers, and streams.

The kitten had only been out of the womb for a few hours when the family found him, according to WFFT. The organization’s specialists were baffled as to how a mother could abandon her infant in such a fashion, which is rare for the breed.

The odd cat rapidly won over the family, who allowed it to stay for a trial period. They decided to refer to him as Simba. The cat had a deep connection to the home.

The kitten’s mother was always on the family’s radar, as they expected her to return at any time to seek out her offspring.

Unfortunately, it never took place.

Instead, the family nursed Simba, who grew into a beautiful fishercat.
Fortunately, Simba is still alive and healthy, but he must continue to develop.

According to the WFFT, poaching and retaliatory killing were the primary causes of Thailand’s high 84% fishing cat death rate.
As a result, Simba’s survival and rescue are not only miraculous but also crucial to the survival of his species.

You can view a video featuring additional rescued kittens here. These cats may not be fishermen, but they are still quite adorable.

Animals, like people, are living entities whose survival is critical to the health of Mother Nature. If you agree, please consider sharing this article.