No country for small cats: Systematic analysis of media-reported incidents unravel a troubled scenario for the fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus in Bangladesh

Abstract

Several recent commentaries by conservationists underscore the inadequacy of scholarly investigations on the ecology and conservation of non-apex carnivores. This bias spells multi-arrayed challenges for carnivores living in anthropized landscapes. The globally Vulnerable fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) living across human-dominated South Asian wetlands exemplify this problem. Bangladesh, a densely populated, tenuous place for human-wildlife coexistence, constitutes ∼ 30 % of the fishing cat’s known distribution range. Based on systematic surveys of media reports (n = 361; 2005–2021), we implemented a novel application of predictive modeling to map fishing cat presence, and hotspots of human–fishing cat negative interactions across Bangladesh. The distribution of fishing cats was best explained by the extent of wetlands and dry-season precipitation. Negative interactions were associated with patchy mosaics of wetlands, croplands, and road networks. Around 47 % of the reported negative interactions were triggered by mere sightings of the cat and 26 % involved transactional costs. Chase-and-capture of the ‘problem’ animal ensued in > 50 % of reported cases; 26 % mentioned the use of traps or other gears. From 31 % of reports, we recorded 160 fishing cat mortality incidents, but no human fatalities. Our results show that around one-third of Bangladesh likely has breeding fishing cat populations; > 95 % of these regions are outside Protected Areas. We recommend formulating an action plan to strategize a redressal policy, enhance public perception of coexistence, and increase conservation units. We suggest applying this case study to other fishing cat range countries, or other carnivores in the Global South, where data deficiency and lack of systematic large-scale assessments often hinder conservation interventions.