361 human-fishing cat encounters took place between 2016 and 2021, resulting in the deaths of 160 cats, upsetting the wetlands and rural ecosystem across Bangladesh
The fishing cat – a medium-sized wild cat native to South and Southeast Asia – used to be a common sight across the wetlands and rural regions of Bangladesh. People, however, have not been kind to these majestic hunters.
They have been listed as an endangered species in Bangladesh on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2015. The global population too is thought to have declined by around 30% in the years 2010-2015.
People kill fishing cats mostly by mistake or out of fear, as the predator looks a lot like miniature tigers. It should be noted that they pose no serious threats to humans. Although such cats are known to prey on small domestic animals such as chickens, they mostly prefer fish.
On December 19 last year, images of a fishing cat’s body mutilated by people went viral on social media.
In a more recent incident on January 9, a fishing cat was beaten to death in Munshiganj’s Tongibari upazila after a public announcement had claimed it attacked domestic animals such as ducks, chickens, and goats.
These are not isolated incidents, research shows at least one such human-fishing cat conflict occurs in Bangladesh every two weeks, causing a rapid decline in the species’ population across the country.
Following an analysis of different news reports and forest department data, a survey titled ‘Global Ecology and Conservation” conducted by Dhaka University Zoology Department documented 361 human-fishing cat encounters between 2016 and 2021.
These encounters resulted in the deaths of 160 fishing cats. The study further shows that fishing cat deaths have gone up significantly since 2011.
In 2011, thirty-six individual human-fishing cat encounters were reported, out of which twenty-five turned into incidents of conflict, and ten resulted in fishing cat deaths.
The number of recorded fishing cat deaths was the highest in 2012. Eighty-four individual human-fishing cat encounters were reported that year, with twenty-nine incidents of conflict resulting in fifty-five deaths.
Although the number of deaths has decreased slightly since 2013, the trend of conflicts has not. The year 2021 witnessed the highest number of documented human-fishing cat conflicts, reaching fifty-five.
After 2012, Individual killings occurred the most in 2020 and 2021. The highest number of deaths was documented in 2012, 2018, and 2020. In 2018, 18 fishing cat kills were reported, which was 17 in 2020, and 12 in 2021.
The fishing cat (Prionailurus Viverrinus), a key species in Bangladesh’s wetlands and rural ecosystems.
Speaking to The Climate Watch, Wildlife researcher Dipu Sarwar said, “As 45% of the sanctuaries in Southeast Asia and 94% of the world’s water bodies are gradually being encroached upon, the habitat of wild animals has been destroyed.
“There are about 10,000 fishing Cats left in the world. There are no statistics on how many of these remain in Bangladesh. They have disappeared from various countries in Asia, especially Pakistan. These cats are no longer found in many villages throughout Bangladesh.”
Although fishing cats are found in different regions of Bangladesh, they are more common in the haor areas. Their mortality rate is also higher there. Sarwar said these cats are killed the most in greater Sylhet.
In this context, Sarwar pointed out, “In 2016, we took an initiative to document the number of fishing cats in Baikkar Beel through camera tapping research. It was estimated that there were only six fishing cats there. How many fish can they really eat?”
He added, “The species plays a key role in keeping balance in the ecosystem. They are particularly important in maintaining a positive impact on crop production throughout wetland regions and helping increase fish production.
“Fishing cats mostly eat dead or diseased fish. This helps mitigate fish diseases in water bodies. So, if this animal is wiped out from the ecosystem, it will have a negative impact on our agriculture and fish production.”
Sarwar urged the authorities to leave a small part of the haors as sanctuary to protect the fishing cat. This move will also help the wetlands regain its natural splendor. Globally, the fishing cat has been classified as “vulnerable” since 2008.
The local populace in haor and rural regions across Bangladesh have unfounded fear and misunderstanding towards this species, often referring to it as a tiger.
Hossne Ara Begum, a wetland native from the Sylhet region, said, “Fishing cats eat ducks, chickens, and goats, so they should be killed on sight.”
Many villagers like her use the same justification for killing fishing cats indiscriminately. So, such incidents are frequent, especially in rural wetland areas.
Muntasir Akash, a zoologist from Dhaka University who led the survey, said on the issue, “Our research shows the grim reality for these animals.
“Fishing cats have an ecological importance in maintaining the freshwater ecosystem of wetlands. But widespread misconceptions, particularly in rural areas, have perpetuated fear and hostility towards this species.”
Akash further explained, “While fishing cats are accused of eating poultry, studies show that such losses are minimal. Weakened fish and rodents form a significant part of the fishing cat diet, benefiting agriculture.
“We need further research to assess the economic impact of these alleged attacks.”
The destruction of wetlands is a significant factor in the species’ decline. Wetlands are increasingly being taken for human use, exacerbating human-wildlife conflict. “Government awareness campaigns are crucial to address such issues,” Akash said.
Globally, fishing cats are found in countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. However, their exact population is unknown.
According to Small Cat Advocacy and Research, fishing cats’ dependence on fragmented wetlands reflects their vulnerability.
Mistaken identity leads to killings
Their resemblance to tigers seems to be the reason for fishing cats’ tragic fate.
A study conducted in Hakaluki Haor between 2017 and 2022 revealed that 93.9% of surveyed individuals believed killing fishing cats was necessary due to fear, and 86.1% justified killing them to protect poultry farms.
Alarmingly, 90.2% of respondents thought killing fishing cats displayed their bravery.
Though villagers often cite economic losses as a justification, this study indicates that among the survey respondents, only 59.8% suffered fishing cat attacks on their poultry in the past five years.
During the same period, 98.4% respondents suffered poultry loss at least once due to diseases, 97.1% due to golden jackals, 94.7% due to jungle cats, and 93.4% due to floods.
“These animals are often misidentified as tigers, and the associated fear and misinformation lead to unnecessary killings,” said Professor MA Aziz of Jahangirnagar University’s Zoology Department.
He added that fishing cats’ breeding season is from November to February, making them more active in searching for food during this period.
Many poultry farms near wetlands are illegal and contribute to habitat destruction. “Humans are increasingly encroaching on these animals’ habitats, leading to their decline,” Aziz said.
To combat this, his team is working on incorporating lessons about the ecological importance of fishing cats into informal educational materials.
Roadkill: A persistent threat
Another critical threat to fishing cats is road accidents. Dhaka University lecturer Fazle Rabbi and his team conducted research in five hotspots for fishing cat activity.
Between 2020 and 2024, 369 fishing cats were documented in 289 incidents, with 130 killed and 224 rescued. On average, one conflict occurs every week, and a fishing cat is killed every two weeks.
Noting that infrastructure development has destroyed fishing cat habitats, Rabbi said, “Fishing cats used to thrive in areas like Munshiganj and near the Padma River.
“However, projects like the Padma Bridge and expressways have increased roadkill incidents, which remain underreported. Although there is a good system for people to cross the road, there is none for these animals.”
Impunity leads to more mob killings
The Forest Department’s crime unit has been able to rescue only two fishing cats from 2023 to 2024.
Conservator of Forests Sanaullah Patwari said, “The Forest Department has not taken any specific steps to protect fishing cats, but regular public awareness campaigns are being conducted to protect this animal in rural areas.
“The fishing cats are losing their habitats due to infrastructural development and population growth. We are conducting regular campaigns, distributing leaflets, working to create awareness among the youth and public in schools, colleges, and villages to protect this important animal of the ecosystem.”
Conservation efforts
To raise awareness and promote conservation efforts, the Forest Department has announced that, for the first time, Bangladesh will officially observe World Fishing Cat Day on February 1, in line with global celebrations.
Efforts to protect fishing cats include projects by organizations such as the Arannayk Foundation, Pancouri Conservation Club, and Dhaka University’s Zoology Department. They aim to study fishing cat ecology in Chuadanga and Meherpur, and improve community perception.
In addition to research, Professor MA Aziz is working on the conservation of this species.
Providing more details, Aziz said, “We are working on a Fishing Cat Conservation Project to address threats to this species. We believe that the first step in stopping mob killings of fishing cats is to focus on raising awareness.
“Therefore, under the title ‘Friends with Fishing Cats,’ we are starting a campaign through small incentives aimed at the youth in villages and schools. We are also incorporating the importance of animal conservation into the non-formal curriculum at schools.”
