Fishing cat,the State animal of West Bengal is one of the four cats of Sundarban. The IUCN lists the Fishing cat as a globally Vulnerable species and Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 lists it as a Scheduled I animal. Population studies of a species is the first step in conservation of the species as it provides the baseline for management interventions.

About Fishing Cat (Beng. Mecho Biral/Baghrol):

• Fishing cat is the State animal of West Bengal and the species is the most important Bio-Indicator of the wetland ecosystem.
• This meso-carnivore is the top predator of the mudflat ecotone of Sundarbans.
• First ever fishing cat population study report was published by the department in 2022, after All India Tiger Estimation.
• The Fishing Cats are identified by their unique stripe patterns.
• The Fishing Cats are identified by their unique stripe patterns.
• The species is mainly nocturnal, sometimes seen in the daylight.