The river cat, or fishing cat, is a medium-sized wild cat native to Asia. Its scientific name is Prionailurus viverrinus. This cat gets its name from its fishing abilities – it is able to dive into water and catch fish! River cats were once found across Asia, from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. However, over the last few decades, their numbers have declined significantly. Loss of wetland habitats and prey, as well as hunting and poaching, have caused river cat populations to disappear from large parts of their former range. Today, river cats are considered globally endangered. But some populations still remain in a few select regions. So in short – yes, river cats do still exist today, but their future remains uncertain.
Quick Facts on River Cats
Scientific Name and Classification
The scientific name for the river cat is Prionailurus viverrinus. It belongs to the family Felidae, which includes all cats. River cats are classified in the genus Prionailurus, along with leopard cats and flat-headed cats. They are most closely related to leopard cats.
Physical Appearance
River cats have a stocky, muscular build. They weigh between 11-18 pounds as adults and measure 24-28 inches long (not including their tail which adds another 10-16 inches).
They have medium-length, coarse fur which is olive-grey to brownish-grey in color. Distinctive features include their flat, broad head and long tail. The ears are short and rounded.
Habitat
River cats live near wetlands, mangrove swamps, and areas with dense vegetation along rivers, streams, oxbow lakes, and coastlines. They prefer marshy areas where they can easily swim and hunt for fish.
Diet
As their name suggests, river cats eat a lot of fish! Fish makes up the major part of their diet. They also prey on frogs, crustaceans like crabs, small reptiles and birds. River cats hunt along river banks and in shallow water, diving in to catch fish with their claws.
Behavior
River cats are largely nocturnal and solitary. They rest during the day in dense vegetation, rock crevices or hollow trees. At night, they set out to actively hunt and patrol their territory.Male river cats mark their territory by spraying urine. Both males and females scent mark by rubbing their cheeks on rocks and trees.
Reproduction
River cats breed once a year. After a gestation of 63-70 days, a female gives birth to a litter of 1-4 kittens. The kittens stay with their mother for about 8 months before becoming independent. They reach sexual maturity between 18-24 months. In captivity, river cats may live up to 12 years.
Historical Distribution and Habitat
Historically, river cats occupied a wide range across Asia. Their distribution stretched from the Middle East (Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel), to South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal), and Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam).
They were found in marshy wetlands along rivers, streams, mangroves, reed beds, and coastlines from sea level up to 4,000 feet in elevation. Dense vegetation around water bodies provided river cats with suitable habitat.
Some key habitats of river cats included:
– Riverine forests and wetlands in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins in India and Bangladesh
– Mangrove forests in the Sundarbans region of India and Bangladesh
– Coastal wetlands in Israel, Kuwait and the Arabian peninsula
– Swamp forests in Iraq and Iran
– Delta wetlands in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
Current Distribution
Over the past 100 years, river cats have disappeared from large parts of their historic range due to habitat loss, hunting and depletion of their prey base. Their global population has declined by over 50% since the mid 1900s.
Today, river cats remain in only about 10% of their former range. The map below shows their current distribution:
Region | Countries where still found |
---|---|
South Asia | India, Bangladesh, Nepal |
Southeast Asia | Myanmar, Thailand |
Middle East | Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel |
Even in the above regions, river cat populations are fragmented and declining. The largest populations remain in protected wetlands in India and Myanmar. In many areas, the cats are considered regionally endangered.
For example, river cats are critically endangered in Pakistan and may now be extinct there. In Iraq and Iran, there have been no confirmed records since the 1970s-80s. In Southeast Asia, river cats have not been spotted in Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam for many years.
Major Threats and Reasons for Decline
Some major factors that have contributed to the river cat’s decline:
Wetland Destruction
Draining wetlands for agriculture and development has caused severe habitat loss and fragmentation. Over 50% of global wetlands have been lost since 1900. This has drastically reduced habitat availability for river cats who depend on wetlands for survival.
Prey Decline
Degradation of wetlands has caused fish populations and other river cat prey to decline. Dams, water pollution and overfishing have depleted food resources.
Hunting and Poaching
River cats are illegally hunted for their meat and body parts which are used in traditional Asian medicine. Their bones are sold as a substitute for tiger bones.
Climate Change
Droughts, storms, sea level rise and erosion of coastlines due to climate change further threaten river cat habitats like mangroves.
Conflict with Humans
As wetlands are converted for human use and settlements come closer to river cat habitats, conflicts arise. River cats are killed by farmers protecting livestock and by fishermen.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorizes river cats as Globally Endangered. This means they face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Some organizations providing river cat conservation status listings:
Organization | Status |
---|---|
IUCN Red List | Endangered |
CITES | Appendix II |
USA Endangered Species Act | Threatened |
Indian Wildlife Act | Schedule I |
Bangladesh Wildlife Act | Schedule III |
These listings aim to control international trade and provide protection to aid the river cat’s conservation.
Conservation Actions Needed
To save river cats from extinction, urgent efforts are required to protect remaining populations and habitats:
Habitat Protection
Secure key wetlands for river cats through protected wildlife reserves, national parks and community conservancies. Maintain adequate water levels and prevent fragmentation.
Anti-Poaching Efforts
Strengthen law enforcement to stop illegal killing and trade of river cats. Set up wildlife crime monitoring networks.
Mitigate Human-Cat Conflict
Promote non-lethal deterrents like enclosures for livestock. Run insurance and compensation schemes for local communities affected by river cats.
Prey Base Recovery
Improve fish stocks through fisheries management. Enforce fishing regulations.
Awareness and Education
Conduct outreach programs on river cats for local communities. Run school education programs on protecting wetlands and wildlife.
Captive Breeding
Start captive breeding programs to reintroduce river cats into safe habitats. About 150 river cats live in zoos and wildlife centers today.
Examples of Current Conservation Efforts
Although still endangered, focused conservation efforts at a few sites have helped stabilize some river cat populations. This gives hope that the species can be brought back with dedicated efforts.
Western Ghats, India
The mountain wetlands of Kali River have India’s largest river cat population. Habitat protection and antipoaching measures by the Kali Tiger Reserve have curbed declines here.
Sundarbans, Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Sundarbans mangroves hold one of the largest populations. River cats are protected by wildlife sanctuary status and forest guard patrolling.
Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Community awareness programs in this park have reduced retaliation killings of river cats. Wetlands are also being managed for wildlife.
Cát Tiên National Park, Vietnam
River cats were thought extinct in Vietnam until a small population was camera trapped in this protected wetland in 2016, raising hopes for recovery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, river cats have suffered drastic declines due to wetland destruction and poaching, but scattered populations continue to survive in protected wetland habitats across South and Southeast Asia. While still endangered globally, their survival prospects have improved through conservation initiatives like habitat protection, community involvement and captive breeding. To secure the river cat’s future, it is critical that remaining wetland strongholds are preserved and recovery efforts expanded across their former range. With dedicated action, it may still be possible to bring these fascinating, water-loving cats back from the brink.