Context
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has successfully radio-collared three Fishing Cats in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, as part of the Fishing Cat Collaring Project to study their behaviour and ecology.
Fishing Cat
| Feature | Description |
| Common Name | Tiger Fish / Kla Trey |
| Scientific Name | Prionailurus viverrinus |
| Size & Build | Medium-sized wild cat; muscular, stocky frame; short legs & tail |
| Distinct Traits | Round, elongated face; sexually dimorphic (females smaller than males) |
| Activity Pattern | Solitary and nocturnal; highly adapted to water; excellent swimmer |
| Habitat | Prefers wetlands—marshes, swamps, mangroves, riverbanks, reed beds |
| Distribution |
- India: Sundarbans, Gangetic-Brahmaputra floodplains, AP mangroves, Western Ghats
- Global: Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Pakistan, China, Java, Sumatra
| Diet | Carnivorous—feeds mainly on fish, frogs, crabs, and small rodents |
Conservation Status
| Organization / Law | Status |
| IUCN Red List | Vulnerable (VU) |
| CITES | Appendix II |
| Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 | Schedule I (highest protection) |
Threats to Survival
- Loss and degradation of wetland ecosystems
- Water pollution
- Poaching and accidental killings
- Conflicts with local communities near wetlands
Fishing Cat Collaring Project (2025)
| Aspect | Details |
| Purpose | To monitor movement, feeding habits, reproduction, and range ecology of Fishing Cats |
| Technology | Lightweight GPS collars integrated with GIS for year-round tracking |
| Implementing Agencies | Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Andhra Pradesh Forest Department |
| Location | Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh |
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary – Quick Facts
| Feature | Description |
| Location | In the Godavari estuary, near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh |
| Area | ~235 sq km (40% covered by sea backwaters, rest by tidal creeks) |
| Vegetation | India’s second-largest mangrove forest after Sundarbans |
| Flora | Mangrove species: Rhizophora spp., Avicennia spp., Sonneratia spp. |
| Fauna – Mammals | Fishing Cat, Smooth-coated Otter, Golden Jackal |
| Fauna – Birds | Black-capped Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Sandpiper, Reef Heron, Gulls |
| Other Significance | Nesting site for Olive Ridley Turtles along the coastline |
Significance of the Project
- Aids in conservation planning by providing scientific data on habitat usage
- Helps mitigate human-wildlife conflict in wetland ecosystems
Promotes awareness on the importance of wetland conservation for flagship species