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Title
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Conservation status and ecology of fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus, Bennett 1833) in Nepal
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Author
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Abstract
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| Fishing cat, a globally threatened small cat associated with wetland habitats, is native south and south-east Asia. This study carried out research on fishing cats in Nepal focusing on distribution, ranging behavior, habitat use, diet, and interaction with other carnivores. In Nepal, fishing cats are distributed across its southern belt – the Terai and Chure, with patchy distribution in three sub-populations. Only 5% area of Nepal is found suitable for the fishing cats with over 65% of it occurring outside the protected areas. The climatic conditions like precipitation and temperature has high influence in fishing cats’ distribution. This study documented the vital role of wetlands, forests, and grassland cover for the occurrence of fishing cats. Based on monitoring of satellite collared fishing cats, they used habitats both inside the protected area (Reserve) and outside (aquaculture, agriculture and settlements). Comparatively a larger average home range size (39.88 ± 26.16 km²) of fishing cats was documented in the study. The adult male fishing cats had a significantly larger home ranges (58.03 ± 21.19 km²) compared to females (21.72 ± 16.39 km²). Males had overlapping territories with multiple individuals of other males or females, whereas, adult females maintained exclusive territories. Additionally, fishing cats were frequently observed in agricultural landscapes, such as sugarcane and paddy fields, alongside natural grasslands and wetlands. This study documented the predominantly nocturnal behavior of fishing cats, with occasional diurnal activity observed during the cold-dry season. There was both spatial and temporal activity overlap between fishing cats and large carnivores like tigers and common leopard. This observation suggests the ability of fishing cats to coexist with larger felids in similar habitats, utilizing the vegetation cover such as tall grasslands to hide from these large carnivores. Further this study suggested that fish, mammals and birds contributed majority of the fishing cat diet. It is important to share these findings among the fish farmers to change the attitude of fish farmers towards fishing cats’ conservation. This study recommends conducting nation-wide survey of fishing cats including identified potential sites throughout their range to understand their population status, genetic connectivity and threats. Conservation of fishing cats and their habitats should also be prioritized through conservation actions and including it in the management plans of protected areas of fishing cat range. Awareness campaigns for the conservation of fishing cats need to be carried out, especially for different stakeholders outside protected areas. |
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Language
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English
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Publication
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Antwerp
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University of Antwerp, Faculty of Science
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2025
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DOI
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10.63028/10067/2127240151162165141
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Volume/pages
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iii, 155 p.
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Note
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De Iongh, Hans H. [Supervisor]
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Leirs, Herwig [Supervisor]
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Subedi, Naresh [Supervisor]
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Kolipaka, Shekhar [Supervisor]
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Full text (open access)
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