langkawi magazine
To Do SECTION
Langkawi's Beach Cats
This week the press has been full of articles about the 9,500 year old Cyprus cat that may have been domesticated.
This reminds me of another unusual aspect of Langkawi life - the beach cats. Having spent time on beaches around the world, my animal associations have been limited to dogs, who enjoy the beach very much.
In Thailand one could say the dogs enjoy the beach too much, with too many dogs maintaining their own territory with associated noise and aggression. The beach makes a perfect playground for cats, but wide expanses mean a long run to the nearest tree if attacked, so cats will not venture out when dogs are about.
In Langkawi I have seen no dogs on the beach here you see cats. It still surprises me every day on our sunset beach walk to see them. Boy and girl cats, always alone, some quite cautious toward humans. Mostly they stay above the high water mark, but sometimes they're right down at the water's edge.
Often they find a snack washed up and we see them tearing into a small fish or squid that's washed ashore. Cat lovers, here's a new experience for you visit the beach cats of Langkawi!
Langkawi 10/4/2009
