Rusty-spotted cats traffic signs change behavior
by Mitra Pandy, Nepal, Rusty-Spotted Cat Working Group
Roadkill is a major threat to the Rusty-spotted cat in India and Nepal, particularly in areas where roads intersect their natural habitat. Expanding networks of highways and forest-side roads continue to grow. In the Rusty-spotted cat habitat of Nepal alone, side roads have a daily minimum of 80 to 100 four-wheelers and average 175 motorbikes, while highways allow at least 550 four-wheelers and 700 motorbikes daily.
To mitigate roadkill, in July 2024 we began the installation of road signs with the message "Drive Slow: Rusty Spotted Cat Habitat." These signs were strategically placed in areas known to be Rusty-spotted cat crossings and previous roadkill incidents. In Nepal, 15 signs were installed at key locations in Bardia and Kanchanpur districts. These included the East-West National Highway near the Amreni Army Check Post, Bathanpur-Madhela Community Forest, Chitkaiya Community Forest and Thakurdwara Community Forest. Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh state of India, 27 signs were installed along critical stretches of highways between Puranpur to Khatima, Mailani to Bhira, Palia to Gauriphanta and Gola to Khutar. Three of the signs installed along the highway within the Rusty-spotted cat habitat in India were found damaged by a herd of elephants.
We monitored the impact of our signs. In India, a three-week follow-up survey was conducted to assess driver behavior and the effectiveness of our signs. Observations revealed that approximately 90 percent of drivers, including those operating auto-rickshaws and four-wheelers noticed the signs and significantly reduced their speed while passing through the marked areas. Additionally, local forest officials were engaged to assist in ongoing monitoring, including tracking vehicle speeds and wildlife movement near the roads. In Nepal, although formal surveys were not conducted during the initial phase, informal observations and local feedback indicated a noticeable increase in driver awareness and caution along the highways and adjoining forest roads. The presence of the signs sparked curiosity among both local residents and travelers, further increasing awareness about the presence of the Rusty-spotted cat in the region.
Since the installation of our signs in both countries, no roadkill incidents of Rusty-spotted cats have been recorded in the targeted areas. The visible change in driver behavior and the absence of new roadkill reports suggest that our signs made a positive difference. Nevertheless, we realize that more than traffic signs are needed so our team is hard at work implementing other threat mitigation actions.
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Fishing Cat Guardian Clubs: Slowly Embracing Conservation
by Ganesh Puri, Nepal, Western Terai Fishing Cat Conservation Project
Since 2021, we've been working with local youth through the Buddhabhumi Fishing Cat Guardian Club in Kapilvastu. Today, under their own leadership, the club successfully organized an inter-school painting competition focused on Fishing cat conservation. Twenty students from ten nearby schools were invited to participate. Alongside the competition, they shared important messages about the Fishing cat, what it is, the threats it faces, why it matters, and why we must protect Fishing cats. Prizes were awarded for the best conservation-themed artwork with a strong message.
As Jaganath Tharu, leader of the Guardian Club, said: "The 20 participants didn't just draw the Fishing cat on paper, they took the message of its conservation to heart." With support from the Western Terai Fishing Cat Conservation Project, we were able to make the event happen. We're feeling more motivated than ever, and we're committed to ensuring the Fishing cat doesn't disappear from our region.
Protecting chickens and Pampas cats in rural Peru
by Zoila Vega Guarderas, Peru, Pampas Cat Working Group
In 2022, at the invitation of Adrián Ricalde, a local conservation leader, we visited San Felipe, a rural community in northern Peru. Adrian informed us that dogs had killed a Pampas cat that entered a chicken coop. In rural villages, the loss of chickens causes economic hardship and resentment. The result is inevitable and never favorable for Pampas cats. Alarmingly, all 60 families interviewed had killed at least one Pampas cat in the past three years.
While initial skepticism of our offer to help was also alarmingly high, we began working with 19 families that believed in our project. At our expense, we supplied the necessary materials to build predator-proof hen-houses, then provided farm-raised chickens (that are accustomed to hen-houses), distributed veterinary kits, held chick vaccination clinics and provided workshops on poultry health. Our success motivated additional families to enlist in our project. Over three years, we've enabled construction or repair of 176 hen-houses, distributed 880 chickens, vaccinated more than 1000 chicks, sponsored 10 workshops, and donated five veterinary kits.
Families now have safe chickens, fresh eggs, and have experienced no losses to predators. Most importantly, none of these 176 families have killed a Pampas cat or any other carnivores. Through our workshops, they now understand the ecological importance of the Pampas cat, and predation losses have dropped to zero. The community has shifted from viewing wild cats as a threat to living in harmony with nature. Moreover, they realize there is no need for so many dogs.
One major challenge was overcoming the community's initial resistance. Many doubted the project would work. Hen-house designs had to be adapted to local customs and conditions, and community workshops helped build trust. A turning point came when local resident Doña Rosa, once skeptical, shared that she had experienced no losses for six months. Her success went viral and convinced others.
Our project demonstrates that with empathy and practical, pragmatic solutions, humans and wild cats can coexist. Chickens and Pampas cats can simultaneously be protected. We strengthened community bonds and increased environmental awareness. San Felipe now stands as a model for community-led conservation. Our project is both scalable and sustainable because the local people now know what to do. With the help of Adrián Ricalde and Doña Rosa who do the talking, we are reaching out to other rural communities.
We thank our financial partners and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund for supporting our project.
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