Research Cruise Report  -  1

Cruise Report No. 1 - 24 January to 06 February 2000

The ECOswiss research team, accompanied by French ecovolunteers spent 2 weeks collecting important data on the southern islands of thearchipelago. From Victoria Point our research boat, Sea Nomad, sailed north to Hasting Island, Potter Island, Pulau Bada Island, Lampi Island National Park and Sisters Island, 90 nautical miles distant.

The team's focus was on conducting interviews with the Moken sea gypsies and local fishermen regarding the wildlife on the islands anddoing a survey of wild cat footprints.

The high level of biodiversity of the fauna on these islands of the archipelago was confirmed. To the great astonishment of all, somelarge cat tracks, probably those of tigers or leopards were discovered on the beach. Local people related stories of a large number of wild cats, mostly the Asiatic Golden Cat - FelisTemmnicki, even though they sometimes found itnecessary to hunt wild cats for food.

Fortunately we found no visible signs of poaching for the illegal trade of skins or bones.

For more information on the wild cats of the archipelago send email to cats@marinasia.com