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Kittle, A.M.; Watson, A.C.
Small wildcats of Sri Lanka - some recent records
2018  Cat News (68): 09-11

Information about the distribution, ecology and behaviour of Sri Lanka's three small wild felid species' is scant which has resulted in uncertainty regarding their status. Here we present camera trap data from seven study sites representing three distinct habitat types around the island. Study sites range from the island's largest Protected Area (Wilpattu NP) to small patch forests on private land. We document the wide distribution of the rusty-spotted cat _Prionailurus rubiginosus_ and fishing cat _Prionailurus viverrinus_ which were both recorded in five sites and all climatic zones, with rusty spotted cat more frequently photo-captured. The jungle cat _Felis chaus_ was found in only two sites which are in close proximity to each other, representing the eastern lowland dry zone. Fishing cat and jungle cat records from this research expand the understood range of these species according to current IUCN Red List maps. All fishing cat events and 88.9% of rusty-spotted cat events were nocturnal (19:00 h- 06:00 h). Rusty-spotted cats with rusty markings as well as those with darker markings were both found in the lowland dry zone, complicating the proposed delineation of the species into a wet zone sub-species and dry lowland sub-species based on colour pattern variation. This research provides much-needed distribution and behaviour data for Sri Lanka's poorly understood small wild felids. A much improved understanding of how these small felids co-exist within shared Sri Lankan landscapes, both with each other and with the dominant leopard _Panthera pardus_, is necessary for more effective long term management and conservation.

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