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Adhya, T.; Dey, P.; Nanda, S.; Nayak, A.; Gowda, S.; Chetan, H.C.
Distribution of the fishing cat in Chilika, a Ramsar site located in the Indian eastern coast
2023 Cat News (78): 13-16
Approximately 80% of the fishing cat's_ Prionailurus viverrinus_ predicted global distribution overlaps with human modified landscapes. Here, we examine the presence of the fishing cat in four ecological sectors of Chilika lagoon, India, with varying hydrological regimes - freshwater dominated, brackish water and saline - using interview surveys and camera traps. We found the fishing cat to be present in all sectors of Chilika but with significantly higher presence in its freshwater rich Northern sector which has a 115 sq km Phragmites dominated marshland. Presence was found to be poor in sections of Chilika where tall and dense riparian vegetation was absent and where conditions were most saline. We also discuss the conservation implications of our study.
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