For Immediate Release: April 5, 2007
Contact: Kelly Lessard 952.431.9217

ENDANGERED FISHING CAT TRIPLETS BORN AT THE MINNESOTA ZOO
Mother genetically valuable; from Thailand

Apple Valley, MINN – The Minnesota Zoo is excited to announce a rare multiple birth: three endangered fishing cats were born on March 17, 2007.

The triplet kittens, whose sexes have not yet been determined, each weigh an average of 370 grams (less than 2 pounds each). The trio is being raised by their mother off-exhibit and, if everything goes well, will be on exhibit in the next few months. Once they are old enough, zookeepers will provide them with “fishing opportunities” throughout the day. "The fishing cat population in the wild is threatened and every kitten that zoos can reproduce will help to preserve the species for the future,” said Laurie Trechsel, Minnesota Zoo Zoologist. “Because of the cooperation between zoos worldwide to manage the species as one population, the fishing cat has a good chance of surviving into the future. With the mother and father coming from bloodlines not represented in the North American population, all three kittens are genetically valuable to the fishing cat population.”

Photo by Maria Reedstrom

The mother was transferred to the Minnesota Zoo in October 2003 from the Nashville Zoo. She was born the previous October at the Kheo Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. The father, born in March 1999, has been at the Minnesota Zoo since July 2002.

Fishing cats, best known for their ability to fish, are native to southwest India, Sri Lanka, Southern Himalayas, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Southern China, Sumatra, Java, and Thailand. Due to their aquatic nature and diet, they are commonly found in areas associated with water. Marshy thickets, mangrove swamps and densely vegetated areas near streams, rivers and lakes are all suitable habitat for this species.

For more information on the Minnesota Zoo, call the Information Line at 952.431.9200. The Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org.