CityweliveWaves of excitement have swept through wildlife lovers in the state following the sighting of cubs of the ‘endangered’ Indian Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) at a modest farm adjoining a forest in Hoshiarpur. Punjab is an unexpected location for the Indian Fishing Cat to appear, as it predominantly feeds on amphibians — such as fish and snakes — as well as insects and birds. Typically found in extensive marshlands, swamps, wetlands, and coastal deltas, the Fishing Cat is not commonly observed in Punjab. The last recorded sighting in the state occurred approximately seven to eight years ago.
The Indian Fishing Cat is listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating a significant risk of extinction in the wild due to habitat destruction, environmental degradation, and other dangers.
Three Fishing Cat cubs were located at a farm near a forested area in a village at the junction of Hoshiarpur and Rupnagar districts. Found close to a small water source around the end of April, conservationists kept the discovery discreet for several days to ensure the mother could safely return and relocate her young.
In India, Fishing Cats are mainly found in the floodplains of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra rivers, with the wetlands of West Bengal’s Sundarbans being the most suitable habitat.
The quick thinking of a village leader and local wildlife activists proved crucial in protecting the kittens, who might have otherwise fallen victim to human interference.
Over 100 villagers assembled at the farm after rumors spread that leopard cubs had been discovered.
Fortunately, the village head stepped in and calmed the crowd. Photos of the animals were sent to a wildlife expert, who verified that they were in fact Fishing Cat kittens and not leopards.
Gaurav Rana, a social worker, explained, “The farm contains a water body adjacent to the forest, frequently used by wild animals, particularly in the warmer months. The three cubs were found near this spot. Villagers initially panicked, assuming they were leopard cubs. We were almost about to feed them milk. But wildlife expert Nikhil Senger confirmed these were Indian Fishing Cats and advised us to give them only cereal mixed with water. He instructed us to return them to the same location and provide Cerelac diluted with water for the night, then leave them alone.”
Rana added that laborers maintained a safe distance and monitored the area throughout the night to ensure the cubs were safe. Around 2 a.m., the mother returned and retrieved her kittens.
Wildlife conservationist and former Honorary Wildlife Warden of Nawanshahr, Nikhil Senger, remarked, “Fishing Cat cubs were last found seven to eight years ago — also near a pond on a farm. This marks their first reappearance in Punjab since then. Our primary goal was to ensure the mother could reunite with her young, as they rely on a wetland-based diet and wouldn’t have survived long in a farmland setting. This discovery is extremely encouraging, especially considering the current strain on natural habitats and the species’ declining status. It also underscores the importance of studying local biodiversity more closely to support sustainable conservation efforts.”
