About Us

Protecting and conserving Sri Lanka’s small wild cats, small mammals, and their habitats, through conservation and research.


Established in 2017, Small Cat Advocacy and Research (SCAR) is a non-profit organisation dedicated towards the protection of Sri Lanka’s lesser understood small wild cats, and small mammals.

Our focus is to gain a better understanding of the three species through conservation and research, and use the knowledge gained to conserve the species throughout the island by working closely with communities, stakeholders and government authorities. Our awareness campaigns on the three small wild cats will ensure wider reach and educate the general public that these lesser-known species are just as important as their larger cousin (i.e. the Sri Lankan leopard).


Board of Directors and Advisory Committee

SASIRU WIJERATHNE

BOARD MEMBER

JIM SANDERSON, PhD

ADVISOR CONSERVATION

DEVAN SEWELL

ADVISOR
FUNDRAISING AND SMALL WILD CAT HUSBANDRY

Everyone on the Ground

ASHAN THUDUGALA

CARNIVORE CONSERVATION DIRECTOR
FOUNDER AND PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT

Vishwa C. Dushmantha

Project officer
Save FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT

BUDDHIKA WEERAKOON

FIELD TECHNICIAN
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT

Nalindra Laxman

FIELD TECHNICIAN
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT

Interns and Volunteers

Thathsara Dilan

INTERN
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT
Student: BSc in Natural Sciences (Physics), The Open University of Sri Lanka

Gothami Abeynayaka

INTERN
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT
Student: BSc in Zoology, The Open University of Sri Lanka

JAMES CRESSWELL

VOLUNTEER FIELD TECH
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT

Dilrukshi Dishani

Intern
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT
Student: BSc in Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka

Harsha Dissanayke

intern
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT
Student: BSc in Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka

Chameera dilshan

intern
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT
Student: BSc Environmental Conservation & Management, The University of Kelaniya

Theekshana Abeykoon

Intern
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT
Student: BIs sp. (Hons) Agriculture & Plantation Engineering, The Open University of Sri Lanka

Ravindi Menikrama

Intern
SAVE FISHING CAT CONSERVATION PROJECT
BSc, The Open University of Sri Lanka