About · Partners and Funders
Partnerships that make the work possible
The Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project works with research institutions, government agencies, conservation organisations, funders, photographers, volunteers, and members of the public who contribute expertise, resources, access, and time.
Together, these partnerships make it possible to sustain long-term research into Colombo's urban fishing cat population and the wetlands on which it depends.
How the project is supported
Different partnerships support different parts of our work
No single organisation supports every aspect of our research. Different partners provide funding, scientific collaboration, permits, field access, technical expertise, equipment, photography, and public participation.
Research and conservation
Scientific collaboration, permits, field access, and ecological expertise.
Funding
Research grants, philanthropy, business support, and individual donations.
Photography
Images that document fieldwork, wildlife, and urban wetlands.
Community support
Sightings, local knowledge, field access, and practical assistance.
Partners
Organisations we work with
We work with universities, government agencies, conservation organisations, land managers, and community groups whose expertise, responsibilities, or access strengthen the research and help translate evidence into conservation outcomes.
These partnerships strengthen the quality and reach of our research while ensuring that the knowledge it generates can contribute to conservation beyond individual study sites.
Government and public-sector partners
Conservation and research partners
Field experience partners
Funding
Funding long-term research
Funding supports field equipment, monitoring, education, data collection, and the practical costs of maintaining research across multiple years.
Every contribution, regardless of size, helps maintain research that must continue across years rather than months.
Current funders
Funding support through the Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance
Foundation support
Environmental giving network
Business donor through 1% for the Planet
Individual donors
Individual donations help fund the day-to-day costs that keep the research moving between grants, including transport, camera-trap maintenance, batteries, field supplies, education materials, and data processing. Unless permission has been given, donors are acknowledged anonymously.
DonateVisual documentation
Photography and visual storytelling
Our photography partners provide images of wildlife, fieldwork, urban wetlands, and the people behind the research. These images support our visual storytelling across publications, presentations, education programmes, exhibitions, and this website.
Their work helps reveal the species, landscapes, and ecological relationships that often go unnoticed within the city.
Priyanath Kotalawela
Wildlife photographer
Colombo-based wildlife photographer focused on documenting the biodiversity of the city’s urban wetlands and raising awareness of their conservation.
Interested in contributing images?
We welcome approaches from photographers whose work aligns with ethical wildlife photography, accurate natural history, and low-disturbance field practice.
Contact usProject history
Past supporters
Our work has benefited from organisations and individuals who contributed to different stages of its development. Some funded specific research or conservation activities, while others provided technical assistance, equipment, facilities, or other resources during earlier phases of the programme.
Their contributions helped establish and develop the work that continues today.
Zoos and wildlife parks
- Big Cat Rescue
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
- Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Axe Valley Wildlife Park
Foundations and grants
- Fishing Cat Fund
- GEF Small Grants Programme / UNDP
- The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
- The Rufford Foundation
Corporate and in-kind support
- MAS Linea Intimo
In-kind and community support
Support beyond funding
Not all support comes through grants or donations. Members of the public report sightings, landowners provide access to research sites, volunteers contribute their time and skills, and organisations provide equipment, facilities, logistics, and technical expertise. These contributions are often less visible, but they are essential to maintaining long-term research.
These forms of support are often less visible than financial contributions, but they are essential to maintaining fieldwork, public engagement, and long-term monitoring.
Reports and local knowledge
Sightings, roadkill reports, observations, and local knowledge help identify where fishing cats occur and where attention is needed.
Field access and logistics
Site access, local coordination, transport, and practical help support safe fieldwork across wetland and urban sites.
Equipment and technical help
Loaned equipment, technical advice, troubleshooting, and practical skills support fieldwork and data collection.
Partnership enquiries
Help sustain the work
Funding, technical expertise, field access, photography, and practical support allow us to maintain monitoring and respond to new conservation priorities. We welcome enquiries from organisations and individuals interested in funding research, contributing specialist expertise, or developing a collaboration.