Observing a Fishing cat hunting for fishes in the wild is an incomparable experience. I got the opportunity to study this species from 2013 to 2017 in Godavari mangroves as part of a project in the Wildlife Institute of India to assess the biodiversity of the Godavari delta. We used camera traps to estimate their population and to study their distribution pattern and behaviour in the mangrove forests, giving us an understanding of their potential home ranges and activity patterns in a coastal habitat. During this period, I also had multiple sightings of the species, which allowed me to observe their behaviour closely. Just like tigers and leopards, fishing cat individuals can be distinguished from each other by the pattern of spots and stripes on their bodies. I was able to identify the individual cats in the Coringa mangroves but selected 15 Fishing cat individuals to study their behaviour in detail (Malla et al. 2019). One of the 15 individuals that we were following was named as ‘Cube’ due to its unique pattern of spots forming a cube on one of its hind limbs. On one occasion, we observed this male hunting along the banks of a creek inside the mangrove forests. It spent nearly eight hours at a single spot, hunting for fishes in the water. It sat at the same site and occasionally attempted to dip into the water to catch a fish. After several failed attempts in 8 hours, it managed to catch a giant catfish. It was amazing to see the patience and stubbornness shown by this cat.
Cube (male fishing cat) waiting patiently in the intertidal area for hunting fish in the CoringaWLS.
Possessing partially webbed forepaws and being adept swimmers, the fishing cat is well- adapted for a fish-based diet. One would imagine Fishing cats to be expert swimmers who would jump into the water to chase and hunt a fish down. On the contrary, their primary hunting technique is to sit on the edge of the bank and wait patiently for the right moment to catch a fish (check video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdAPIcHctu4&t=51s). The diet of the Fishing cats is dominated by fishes but also includes other prey like birds, rodents, molluscs, snakes, and other invertebrates. On one occasion, we saw a Fishing cat hunting down a Pond Heron while on another occasion, we observed it feeding on a Dog-faced water snake (Malla et al. 2018). Our study suggests the influence of the tidal movement of water on the Fishing cat’s activity in the mangrove forests of Godavari. Unlike in other places, the activity of Fishing cats was observed to be diurnal than nocturnal, which could be perhaps explained by lower human presence inside the sanctuary. Only subsistence fishing by the traditional local fishermen is allowed to be practised inside the sanctuary.
The Godavari mangroves are also home to another charismatic and threatened wetland- dependent species- the Smooth-coated otter. Similar to Fishing cats, the Smooth-coated otters are threatened due to extensive habitat degradation and water pollution issues. Unfortunately, little is known about their conservation status in the area. Likewise, rare, and threatened mangrove species including Ceriops decandra and Brownlowia tersa had been recorded in the Godavari delta. The delta is also an excellent birding site and an important stopover site for migratory birds during the winter season. During our study, we recorded 264 species of birds which include some threatened species such as Black-bellied tern, Indian skimmer, Woolly- necked stork, Painted Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, and Black-headed ibis.
Subsistence fishing by the traditional local fishermen inside the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.
In addition to its rich biodiversity, the Godavari mangroves provide innumerable ecosystem services and goods to a population of more than 79,400 people who reside in the 44 mangrove- abutting villages. These villagers, mostly who are traditional fishermen, are directly dependent on the mangroves for their livelihoods as well as for firewood, fodder, and timber. We observed a strong positive attitude of the local communities towards the protection of mangrove forests. At the same time, our study also indicated the requirement of extensive efforts to increase their awareness on issues including global sea-level rise, impacts of climate change, and wildlife conservation.
Our study suggests that the likelihood of occurrence of Fishing Cat increases with the presence and extent of mangrove cover in the Godavari delta. However, the coastal habitats of the delta and along the east coast are being subjected to extensive land-use changes mainly driven by the expansion of aquaculture industry and industrial development. The delta is also vulnerable to coastal erosion due to the net rise in sea level and the increasing frequency of cyclones on the east coast, further endangering the mangrove forests.
Taking cognisance of this, I initiated an awareness program for the children belonging to the local communities- “Children for Fishing cat” to sensitise the children and the local communities about the importance of Fishing cats and its mangrove habitats. Despite living close to the mangroves, these children belong to the most marginalised sections of society. They often do not have access to opportunities to learn about wildlife conservation or issues such as climate change. Their active role in the conservation of the mangroves is important not only for saving the threatened species such as Fishing cats but also for safeguarding their future survival.
The mangroves of Godavari delta are subjected to extensive land-use changes like these expansions of aquaculture.