Haldwani: The forest department has found a rare fishing cat in the Terai East Division. The forest department team has rescued it and started the work of rehabilitation. This species is protected under the schedule of Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
On March 15, while patrolling in Barakoli Sitarganj Range, forest workers found a cat of an endangered species in critical condition. The cat was unable to lift the back part of its body. Seeing its condition, the forest workers immediately took it to the Nainital Rescue Center. After treatment, it is now completely safe. After its recovery, the forest department team has left it at a safe place. Trainee IFS Aditya Ratna said that the Chief Forest Conservator of Western Circle, DFO of Terai East, DFO Nainital and medical staff and personnel of Barakoli Sitarganj Range played an important role in saving the fishing cat. Fishing cat is of medium size which is mainly found in wetlands. In India, it is found in the eastern and southern regions. Its presence in Uttarakhand is considered extremely rare.
Greater Corbett first photographic evidence
Trainee IFS Aditya Ratna said that the first photographic evidence of the rare fishing cat in the Greater Corbett Landscape was recorded in October 2023. Earlier, despite extensive surveys, this species was not recorded in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. This further increases the importance of this discovery.
IUCN has declared the fishing cat endangered
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the fishing cat in the endangered vulnerable category. Which indicates its high risk of extinction in wildlife. The biggest threat to their existence is the loss of their habitats due to the destruction of wetlands, pollution and human encroachment.
