Protect Fishing Cats in Bangladesh

Progress Report: Save the Fishing Cat

By: Anisur Rahman | Project Coordinator

Reporting Period: August 2025 – December 2025
Organization: Green Fund Initiative (GFI), New York, USA
Local Partner in Bangladesh: Bangladesh Biodiversity Conservation and Social Services Centre (BCSSC)

Project Overview

The “Join the Fight to Save the Fishing Cat” initiative is a collaborative effort by Green Fund Initiative (GFI) and BCSSC to protect the endangered Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) in Bangladesh. The project focuses on raising awareness, strengthening community stewardship, and reducing human–wildlife conflict in wetland-dependent communities where Fishing Cats are increasingly at risk due to habitat loss and persecution.

Progress During the Reporting Period (August – December 2025)Funding Status

During this reporting period, the project received only a small donation, which was insufficient to launch full-scale conservation or research activities. Despite this constraint, GFI and BCSSC prioritized community engagement and volunteer capacity-building to sustain momentum in the project area.

Key Activities and Achievements1. Community Engagement and Awareness

With limited financial resources, the project successfully conducted:

• 2 community meetings in the project area, organized jointly by GFI and BCSSC

  • Participants included local residents, farmers, and youth

  • Discussions focused on:

    • The ecological importance of the Fishing Cat

    • Causes of human–wildlife conflict

    • Practical steps communities can take to reduce harm to both people and wildlife

These meetings helped maintain community interest and reinforced trust between conservation actors and local stakeholders.

2. Volunteer Sensitization Program

• 1 volunteer sensitization program was conducted for local volunteers

• The session covered:

  • Fishing Cat conservation challenges

  • Ethical wildlife response and reporting

  • Community-based awareness techniques

This activity strengthened local volunteer capacity and ensured continued grassroots engagement despite funding limitations.

3. Partnership and Coordination

• Continued close coordination with BCSSC to plan low-cost, high-impact activities

• Maintained informal communication with community leaders, who reaffirmed their willingness to support conservation efforts once adequate funding becomes available

Challenges

• Limited funding restricted the scale and frequency of activities

• Inability to conduct:

  • Formal habitat monitoring

  • Scientific research

  • Conflict-mitigation interventions (e.g., poultry protection measures)

Conclusion

Despite receiving only a small donation during August–December 2025, Green Fund Initiative and BCSSC remained committed to the Save the Fishing Cat project. Through 2 community meetings and 1 volunteer sensitization program, the project sustained community awareness, strengthened volunteer engagement, and preserved local partnerships.

These efforts demonstrate the project’s resilience and community support, even under financial constraints. With adequate funding, the initiative is well-positioned to scale up awareness activities, implement conflict-mitigation measures, and contribute meaningfully to the long-term conservation of Fishing Cats in Bangladesh.

Links:

• Youtube Viedo