Bangladesh observes Fishing Cat Conservation Day, reporting a sharp drop in killings as tougher laws, research and community action reduce human-wildlife conflict and highlight the species’ role in wetland ecosystems.
Bangladesh on Saturday observed Fishing Cat Conservation Day, highlighting the government’s progress in protecting the endangered fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) and promoting wetland conservation. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate Change and Water Resources, emphasized that conserving fishing cats is not merely an animal rights issue but a crucial step toward environmental protection.
“Every species plays a role in nature and it is our responsibility to ensure their survival,” she said. She added, “Killing fishing cats simply because they prey on poultry is unjust. If this continues, the species will face extinction. Raising public awareness is essential.”
As Bangladesh observes Fishing Cat Conservation Day, officials say the nation’s recent efforts demonstrate a model for South Asia, showing how policy leadership, law enforcement and community engagement can together reduce human-wildlife conflict while safeguarding wetlands, biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.
The fishing cat, a medium-sized wild feline, thrives in wetlands, mangroves, riverbanks and rice-field landscapes. In Bangladesh, the species inhabits the Sundarbans, haor wetlands, beel systems and coastal areas. Once widely hunted due to fear and misinformation, fishing cats are now increasingly recognized as natural allies for agriculture and ecosystem health. A single fishing cat can protect crops worth over 5 million taka, about 45,000 US dollars, in its lifetime by preying on rodents alone, excluding its broader role in pest control and ecosystem regulation.
Fishing Cat Conservation Day, observed globally since 2016 by the International Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance, was celebrated nationally in Bangladesh for the first time in 2025. The observance raises public awareness about the species’ ecological role, legal protection and ways to prevent conflict with humans.
According to the Ministry of Environment and research by the University of Dhaka, human–fishing cat conflicts and mortality dropped nearly 50 percent in 2025 compared to 2024. A study covering 2020 to 2024 recorded 289 conflict incidents, resulting in 130 deaths of fishing cats. Conservationists credit government-led interventions, community awareness programs and proactive rescue and release operations for this decline.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans East Forest Division, noted that most fishing cat killings now occur in wetland-rich districts like Jashore, Kushtia and Jhenaidah, while proactive conservation efforts in Sylhet have improved rescue and release outcomes. “Our research focused on improving the rescue and release process, especially for kittens. When releases are timely, reunifications with mothers are often successful,” he said.
Muntasir Akash, assistant professor of zoology at Dhaka University, described fishing cats as “true ambassadors of the wetlands of South and Southeast Asia.” He added, “Around one-third of Bangladesh has breeding fishing cat populations but more than 95 percent of these areas are outside protected zones. These cats are experiencing the same colonial-era purge of big cats.”
Mahfuz Ahmed Russel, custodian of the community-based Pittachhara Forest in Khagrachhari, stressed the importance of rescue-based approaches over lethal measures. “Experienced fish farmers often do not consider fishing cats a major threat. Nets and fencing can protect fish while keeping cats safe but long-term habitat protection is essential,” he said.
Professor M. Monirul H. Khan of Jahangirnagar University, co-author of the Sylhet study, emphasized that short-term measures alone are insufficient. “Identifying conflict hotspots and preserving wetland-dominated habitats is critical for long-term conservation,” he said.
The government has strengthened legal protections under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Ordinance 2026, making the killing of fishing cats a non-bailable offense. The species is formally listed as protected and a priority for conservation. Several cases of fishing cat killings have already been filed and prosecuted, signaling a shift toward accountability in wildlife crimes.
Community engagement has been key to changing public perception. Mobile awareness caravans operate in southern and southwestern regions where conflicts are highest, educating villagers on the ecological importance of fishing cats, legal protections and practical conflict-avoidance methods in local languages. Schools and colleges have integrated conservation awareness programs and in a cultural initiative the Ministry of Environment distributed New Year greeting cards featuring fishing cats nationwide in 2025.
Short-term conservation recommendations include installing protective netting around commercial fish and duck farms, clearing vegetation to reduce predation risks and using light posts to deter intrusion. Experts caution that these measures must be carefully implemented to avoid harming other species.
Fishing cats are keystone species that regulate aquatic and agricultural ecosystems by preying on sick fish, rodents, insects and small animals. Their decline threatens biodiversity, wetland health and agricultural sustainability. Conservationists note that protecting fishing cats helps ensure crop protection, reduces pesticide use and supports the rural economy indirectly.
Researchers and conservationists recommend proactive co-management involving local authorities, Forest Department staff and communities, coupled with compensation schemes for farmers affected by predation. These measures aim to secure both the species’ survival and local livelihoods.
