Fishing Cat Conservation Efforts Gain Momentum in India

Context:

The Wildlife Institute of India has launched a GPS-collar tracking project in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary to study and conserve fishing cats in estuarine habitats.

Fishing Cat

Scientific Name:Prionailurusviverrinus
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Habitat: Wetlands such as mangroves, marshes, river floodplains, swamps; found in India (terai region, Sundarbans, East coast, marshes of Western India), Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia.
Physical Features:
- Size: Twice the size of domestic cat; weight: 7–12 kg.
- Greyish-brown fur with black spots.
- Partially webbed paws for movement in mud and water.
- Dense, water-resistant coat.
- Protruding claws that aid in gripping slippery surfaces and catching fish.
Diet: Primarily fish; also small mammals, birds, and poultry.

Ecological Role:

Often an apex predator in wetland ecosystems.
Indicator species for wetland health.

Conservation Status in India:

Patchy populations; healthy numbers in Chilika Lake (~750 individuals in 1,100 sq. km), decline in Sundarbans, rediscovered in Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan).
Threats:
- Habitat loss: 30–40% wetland degradation in India over last four decades.
- Human-wildlife conflict: Perceived as a threat to fish farms and poultry; incidents of retaliatory killings.

Recent Conservation Measures:

Fishing Cat Project by researchers and NGOs (notably in Chilika).
Wildlife Institute of India Project (2024):
- Location: Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh.
- Technology: GPS collars + GIS integration.
- Purpose: Mapping preferred habitats, tracking movement patterns, identifying human interaction zones for targeted conservation strategies.