Anya is a Wildlife Conservationist fighting to protect Colombo’s wetlands, animals and ecosystems from being urbanized by contributing to sustainable city planning.
Anya can identify more wetland areas where fishing cats need to be protected and what conservation efforts are needed to do so.
Colombo’s wetlands purify the air, store CO2, control temperature and protect the city from floods and monsoons. They are also home to many species, one of them the incredible urban fishing cat. Due to a lack of awareness of the wetlands’ importance, they are rapidly becoming urbanized. Now, the wetlands and the fishing cats are under serious threat.
Anya is a Wildlife Conservationist and the Founder of the Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project.
Studies the ecology and behavior of fishing cats and the urban landscape of Colombo.
Influences city planners by working closely with government stakeholders and providing them with information on how fishing cats use urban wetlands and urban spaces.
Holds workshops and awareness programs for the general public and schools to raise the profile of the species and their wetland habitats.
Since its start in 2014, The Urban Fishing Cat Conservation Project has spread small cat awareness among the general public, school children and government authorities in Colombo.
Works closely with the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation & Development Corporation and the Department of Wildlife Conservation to uncover the secret lives of the urban fishing cats.
Anya is on a mission to conserve the fishing cats and urban wetlands in Colombo through raising awareness, education and research.