The endangered fishing cat is a nocturnal species, which is often misunderstood and feared due to its misleading name, "Mechhobagh."

This misconception has led to unnecessary persecution, especially in haor and wetland regions where they primarily reside. Many people mistakenly associate them with tigers or leopards, resulting in frequent killings.

Researchers stress that raising awareness among local communities is crucial for conserving this species. Fishing cats typically hide in bushes near water bodies during the day, making them difficult to spot.

Prof MA Aziz of Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University said while large carnivores are often the focus of attention, hostility towards fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) is shaped more by social norms and misconceptions, rather than economic losses.

The intent to kill them is influenced by personal attitudes and social norms, with misconceptions that derive from the cats being labelled as dangerous "tigers." Addressing these false perceptions is crucial for their conservation, he said.

Muntasir Akash, an assistant professor of Zoology at Dhaka University and a researcher on carnivorous mammals, conducted a study analysing human-wildlife conflicts involving fishing cats from 2005 to 2021.

His research found that 160 fishing cat deaths resulted from human actions. Alarmingly, 83 percent of news reports misidentified them as tigers, leopards, or tiger cubs, and 46 percent of incidents involved people attacking or attempting to drive them away.

Recent video tracking in Lawachhara National Park confirmed a relatively stable fishing cat population, but ongoing research is necessary for their long-term survival.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, former divisional forest officer in Sylhet, described the fishing cat as a small wild species weighing between 5 and 16 kg.

Found mainly in South Asian wetlands, they are rare in Southeast Asia.

Unlike domestic cats, fishing cats are well adapted to aquatic environments, with webbed toes and strong fishing skills. Their diet consists mainly of fish, waterfowl, and small aquatic animals.

Their straw-yellow fur with black spots often leads to misidentification as a tiger. Social media exacerbates the issue by spreading misleading labels like "fishing tigers."

To protect fishing cats, it is essential to correct public misconceptions and implement conservation programmes, said Rezaul.