Fishing cat caught in farmer's trap in Fatikchhari to be handed over to Ctg Zoo
The cat was captured around dawn in Rahmat Bari area of Nanupur union.
A fishing cat, locally known as mechho bagh, was caught early Friday (29 August) in a farmer's trap in Fatikchhari upazila of Chattogram after repeatedly preying on chickens from his farm.
The cat was captured around dawn in Rahmat Bari area of Nanupur union.
Farmer Yakub Ali, who set up the trap, told The Business Standard, "For days, I was losing chickens to an unknown animal. Out of suspicion, I made a basket trap. When it came for chickens at night, it got caught."
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Fatikchhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mojammel Hoque Chowdhury said the fishing cat was taken into custody by Nanupur Union Parishad Panel Chairman Touhidul Alam. "It will be handed over to Chattogram Zoo for treatment and rehabilitation."
Touhidul, who led the rescue, said, "After being informed, I went to the spot and secured the animal before transferring it to the administration."
The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat native to South and Southeast Asia. Unlike most cats, it is an adept swimmer and primarily feeds on fish, frogs, crustaceans, and sometimes poultry, which often brings it into conflict with farmers.
It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, wetland destruction, and human-wildlife conflict.
In Bangladesh, the fishing cat is found mainly in wetland and coastal regions, but sightings in villages are not uncommon as shrinking habitats force them closer to human settlements.
