Fishing cats are known for their remarkable ability to catch fish from rivers and wetlands. These medium-sized cats have water-resistant fur, partially webbed feet, and large premolars to grip slippery prey.
They are mostly nocturnal and solitary, preferring to hunt along the water's edge under the cover of darkness.
But recently, a team of scientists from Bangladesh made a surprising discovery that challenges our understanding of these enigmatic animals.
Using motion-activated cameras, they observed fishing cats raiding bird nests high in the tree canopies, a behavior that has never been documented before.
How Scientists Discovered a New Behavior of These Elusive Felines
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The study, published in the journal Mammalia, was conducted in the northeast region of Bangladesh, where fishing cats are endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
The researchers set up cameras in two different bird colonies, one consisting of little cormorants (Microcarbo niger) and the other of Asian openbills (Anastomus oscitans). Both species nest in large groups on tall trees near water bodies.
The cameras recorded 282 days of footage, capturing every movement in the vicinity. Among the thousands of images, the researchers found 19 that showed fishing cats climbing up the trees and attacking the bird nests.
In one image, a fishing cat was seen biting the neck of a little cormorant chick in a nest in the canopy of an 8-meter-tall Indian oak tree (Barringtonia acutangula).
The researchers were stunned by this finding, as fishing cats are not known to be arboreal or to prey on birds.
They speculated that this behavior could be an adaptation to the seasonal flooding that occurs in the region, which reduces the availability of fish and other aquatic prey.
By switching to birds, fishing cats may be able to survive the monsoon season when fishing becomes difficult or impossible.
What This Discovery Means for the Conservation of Fishing Cats and Their Ecosystem
The discovery of this new behavior of fishing cats has important implications for their conservation and their role in the ecosystem.
Fishing cats are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and their population is declining across their range in South and Southeast Asia.
They face multiple threats, such as habitat degradation, illegal hunting, and persecution by fishermen who view them as competitors or pests.
The researchers hope that their study will raise awareness and interest in these elusive cats, and encourage more research and monitoring of their status and distribution.
They also suggest that conservation efforts should consider the potential impact of fishing cats on bird populations, especially those that are also threatened or endangered.
Fishing cats may have a significant influence on the biodiversity and balance of the wetland ecosystems they inhabit. By preying on birds, they may reduce the competition and predation pressure on fish and other aquatic animals, which could benefit their own survival and reproduction.
On the other hand, they may also disrupt the ecological functions and services provided by the birds, such as seed dispersal, pollination, and nutrient cycling.
The researchers call for more studies to understand the extent, frequency, and drivers of this arboreal predation behavior, and its consequences for the fishing cats and their prey.
They also urge for more collaboration and cooperation among stakeholders, such as local communities, government agencies, and conservation organizations, to protect and restore the wetland habitats that are vital for both fishing cats and birds.
