The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is one of Asia’s most distinctive yet least understood small wild cats. Adapted to life in wetlands, mangroves, floodplains, and river systems, it is an adept swimmer and a specialist predator of fish and other aquatic prey.
Despite its remarkable ecology and cultural significance in parts of South Asia, the Fishing Cat is facing a steady decline across much of its range. This article reviews its current conservation status, distribution, population estimates, the main reasons behind its endangerment, and the organisations leading efforts to conserve this threatened species.
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Conservation in Action
Here are some of the recent reports from the FCCA and partners included in the monthly SWCCF newsletter:
Making Friends for Fishing Cat Conservation
by Ganesh Puri, Nepal, Western Terai Fishing Cat Project
April 2026
In my role as a forest officer, I have been directly involved in law enforcement, but over time I realized that fines and punishment alone do not solve the problem. Law enforcement and punishment address symptoms, not the root causes, of threats to Fishing cats and other wildlife.
In most cases, people involved in poaching or other illegal activities are driven by financial hardship and livelihood insecurity. If their basic needs are met and they have stable income sources, they are far less likely to engage in such activities. This understanding changed my approach. Instead of focusing only on enforcement, I began working closely with communities to understand their challenges and find practical solutions.
A good example is our work with Fishing cat conservation. At that time, they saw the forest department, including me, as a threat. Instead of imposing fines or taking legal action, I chose to listen to them and understand the economic losses they were facing. I introduced the first Fish Bank, a novel program to compensate for their losses and support their livelihoods. Instead of punishing them, I helped them.
The change has been remarkable. In areas where Fishing cats were once rarely seen due to killing, trail cameras now regularly capture their presence. More importantly, the attitude of the community has completely changed. Fish farmers now say they are proud to have Fishing cats in their area. They have become active guardians protecting Fishing cats, even recruiting their neighbors into the Fish Bank program.
My experience clearly shows that when we address the root causes and work with people to implement practical, pragmatics programs like the Fish Bank, conservation becomes sustainable and scalable. Communities become part of the solution, and the impact continues even without external funding. Fish Banks have improved rural people's lives, enabled conservation of Fishing cats, and changed my approach to resolving human-wildlife conflicts. When we help people, conservation comes naturally.
I'm pleased to report that I have recently been promoted to a supervisory position within the Forestry Department and now have 12 officers under my supervision. The Fish Bank program is rapidly expanding to additional communities.
Visit the Western Terai Fishing Cat Project
Mangroves and Whiskers: Andhra Pradesh Bolsters Fishing Cat Conservation Efforts
by Murthy Kantimahanti, India, Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society
February 2026
A significant milestone for wetland conservation was marked recently in Andhra Pradesh during a high-level National Workshop on Mangrove Conservation. In a gesture symbolizing the state's commitment to protecting its unique biodiversity, the Honorable Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Mr. Konidala Pawan Kalyan formally released a dedicated Fishing cat conservation poster and a commemorative coffee table book. The materials, featuring striking photography from the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary, serve as both educational tools and a testament to the long-term conservation strategies being implemented in the region.
The release of these publications highlights a robust partnership between the Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society (EGWS) and the Andhra Pradesh State Government. This collaboration underscores the essential link between grassroots field research and official policy in safeguarding vulnerable species. Key highlights from the event included:
(1) Expert Insights: As President of EGWS and Regional Conservation Partner of the Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance, I delivered a presentation titled "Where Mangroves Meet Whiskers–Conserving the Fishing Cat in Andhra's Mangroves."
(2) Field Monitoring and Conservation: My talk provided deep dives into the ongoing monitoring programs within the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary, which remains one of the most critical strongholds for this elusive feline along with addressing the conservation needs of the species beyond protected areas.
(3) National Collaboration: The workshop served as a nexus for conservation leaders, drawing representatives from India's maritime states, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and premier NGOs including Wildlife Trust of India.
As a flagship species for mangrove ecosystems, the Fishing cat acts as a vital indicator of wetland health. Unlike most felids, this the Fishing cat is well-adapted to aquatic environments, making the preservation of Andhra Pradesh's coastal mangroves essential for its survival. The collaborative efforts between NGOs and government bodies are no longer just an advantage, they are a necessity for the survival of specialized species like the Fishing cat. By integrating educational outreach such as the newly released coffee table book with technical workshops, the state aims to foster a "conservation-first" mindset among both policymakers and the public.
Visit the Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society
Barkulpur village, Nepal's first wildlife-friendly village
by Ganesh Puri, Nepal, Western Terai Fishing Cat Conservation Project
December 2025
The most effective way to achieve real, lasting conservation is through what I call community acceptance-based conservation. When communities take ownership, they can solve conservation problems themselves. I clearly remember my early days as a Forest and Wildlife Ranger when I first visited Barkulpur village in Kapilvastu. At that time, almost every household was involved in poaching and illegal forest and wildlife activities. The sight of traps, nets, spears, and various other hunting tools hanging outside nearly every house is something I will never erase from my memory.
Today, the situation is completely reversed. Very soon, Barkulpur village will be declared Nepal's first wildlife-friendly village, made possible through our Fishing cat conservation program. We began by engaging all the women of the village in handicraft production and marketing linked to fishing cat conservation. This created a stable source of income and a direct contribution to conservation through profit allocation. As the saying goes, "Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman." Through women's leadership, conservation values entered every household. Women discouraged their husbands from poaching and illegal activities, and over time, men began supporting handicraft production and other positive livelihoods.
Today, the community independently manages conservation challenges. Recently, they compensated a goat loss for a village member and distributed two predator-proof chicken coops using their own conservation fund generated from handicraft sales. Inspired by this success, we are now forming and training new women's groups in other villages. Most recently, we established a new group in Kapilvastu and conducted a five-day handicraft making and marketing training, continuing the journey toward community-led conservation.
Creating the Next Generation of Fishing Cat Stewards
by Tiasa Adhya, India, The Fishing Cat Project
November 2025
Villagers in Bhushandpur, an obscure settlement on Chilika lagoon's banks, got the fright of their lives one afternoon. They had seen a Tiger or a Leopard slowly stalking prey. That evening they locked themselves in and prayed for the safety of their livestock. A young guy had managed to take a video of the mystery cat and shared it with the Forest Department. Through WhatsApp, he also shared the video across the length and breadth of his village. Finally it was received and seen by our young students in their parent's smartphones. They knew what it was - a beautiful male Fishing cat.
The Forest Department had, in the meanwhile, placed a large cage to catch the mystery intruder. But our students came to us because they knew we would speak sense and that people would understand that Fishing cats are not to be feared. These students are part of our wetland stewardship program - Mo Chilika Mo Gorbo (My Chilika, My Pride) - an education course that runs for six months across local schools. Chilika is Asia's largest brackish water lagoon with very high densities of the Fishing cat. Our course imparts knowledge in fun and engaging ways so that local children understand and appreciate their ecological heritage.
Fast forward to our awareness campaign with the villagers. We had a golden opportunity to convert irrational fear into meaning conservation. When farmers learned that Fishing cats eat rats that damage crops, they were eay to convert to our side. They remarked that they would like to invite more Fishing cats as they understand now that they are friends, not foes. The very next day, a farmer in the wee hours of the morning, saw the Fishing cat again, but stood his ground and was not frightened. He observed the Fishing cat gently taking a stroll until it reached the rice fields bordering the lagoon's open waters. There it sat down and kept observing the farmer too. Two souls respected each other's boundaries and coexistence persisted.
Who were the champions of the day? Our young students, the new Fishing cat stewards.
Visit The Fishing Cat Project
More Conservation Projects
- Oct 2025: Fish Banks: Success creates a new chapter in coexistence
- Mar 2025: Conserving Fishing cats door-to-door, Nepal
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