Binghamton Zoo Welcomes Two Endangered Fishing Cats

The Binghamton Zoo is proud to announce the arrival of Hunter and Malikai, two young fishing cats, a species native to Asia.

Hunter and Malikai came to the Binghamton Zoo to fulfill a breeding recommendation coordinated by the Fishing Cat Species Survival Plan.  The two were paired to maintain genetic diversity within the captive population.

The male cat, Hunter, was born on April 15, 2014 at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, DC.

The female cat, Malikai, was born on September 21, 2014 at the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound in Rosamond, California.

Fishing cats find food by diving into the water or grabbing them from shallow water. Fishing cats mostly eat fish, but are also known to eat frogs, snakes, birds, and small mammals.

The fishing cat is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Hunter and Malikai will be on exhibit in the lower zoo beginning on Saturday. The zoo will open with half price admission on Saturday and Sunday.

The zoo will be open on weekends only until the Grand Opening on April 23rd. The Binghamton Zoo is located at 60 Morgan Road in Binghamton.