About · Partners and Funders
Partners and funders
Long-term conservation is built through collaboration. We work with research institutions, government agencies, conservation organisations, businesses, photographers, volunteers, and individual supporters who contribute funding, expertise, equipment, 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.
Collaboration makes long-term research possible
The Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project is an independent research programme. Conducting long-term ecological research in a rapidly changing urban landscape depends on more than scientific expertise alone. It requires sustained funding, access to research sites, specialist knowledge, equipment, permits, and organisations and individuals willing to work towards shared conservation goals.
Some partners collaborate directly on research and fieldwork. Others provide funding, technical expertise, equipment, facilities, access, or opportunities for public engagement. Each contribution strengthens the programme and helps maintain the continuity needed to understand ecological change over time.
Partners
Institutions, agencies, and conservation organisations support collaboration, permissions, field access, and species-focused conservation work.
Funders and donors
Grants, philanthropic support, and individual donations help cover equipment, monitoring, education, and project development.
Partner photographers
Photographers contribute images and visual storytelling that help document fieldwork, wetland habitats, public engagement, and urban wildlife.
Public and practical support
Reports, local knowledge, field access, technical help, and in-kind contributions help keep the work moving between larger grants.
Research and conservation partners
We work with universities, government agencies, conservation organisations, and community groups that contribute scientific expertise, technical knowledge, field support, access to research sites, and opportunities for collaboration.
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
Current funders
Long-term ecological research requires sustained investment. The organisations, foundations, businesses, and individual donors listed below have provided financial support for our research, conservation, education, and public engagement programmes.
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 cover everyday project needs such as camera trap maintenance, transport, data processing, education materials, and field supplies. Donor names are not listed unless permission has been given.
DonatePartner photographers
Photography helps document Colombo's urban wetlands, the wildlife they support, and the research taking place within them. Our partner photographers contribute images that communicate our work through the website, publications, presentations, exhibitions, education programmes, and public engagement.
Their work helps reveal the species, landscapes, and ecological relationships that often go unnoticed within the city.
Priyanath Kotalawela
Wildlife photographer
A passionate nature lover and wildlife photographer. Predominantly dedicated to showcasing the biodiversity found within the wetlands of urban Colombo, with the intention to inspire appreciation for the rich diversity of fauna that thrives in these often-overlooked ecosystems. And to raise awareness of the urgent need to conserve and protect Sri Lanka’s remaining urban wetlands for future generations.
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 usPast supporters
The project 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
Many contributions extend beyond direct funding. Members of the public report fishing cat sightings, landowners provide access to research sites, volunteers contribute their time and skills, and organisations assist with equipment, facilities, logistics, permits, and specialist expertise.
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.
Every contribution matters
Our work has developed through the commitment of people and organisations who recognise the importance of understanding and conserving Colombo's urban wetlands.
Whether through scientific expertise, funding, equipment, access, photography, field assistance, or time, every contribution has helped build the programme and the knowledge it continues to generate.
We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to this shared effort.
Help sustain long-term research
Meaningful ecological research depends on continuity. Funding, collaboration, technical expertise, and practical support allow us to maintain long-term monitoring, respond to new conservation priorities, and build the evidence needed to protect fishing cats and the wetlands they depend on.
Whether you're interested in funding research, collaborating on a project, contributing specialist expertise, or supporting public engagement, we'd welcome the opportunity to work together.