Kathmandu
Conservationists have expressed concern after a rare incident in which a fishing cat, a species that primarily feeds on fish, was seen preying on a monitor lizard (locally known as gohoro). Wildlife experts fear the incident, recorded in the Sundarbans region of West Bengal, may indicate a shortage of food in the area.
The fishing cat, also known locally as the “fish tiger,” is considered the largest predatory mammal in wetland ecosystems. During an early morning visit to the Sundarbans last July, environmentalist Saumadeep Santar captured rare footage of a fishing cat hunting a monitor lizard—an event described as highly unusual.
Speaking to Mongabay India, Santar said they witnessed the fishing cat preying on the monitor lizard from their boat. “I am from the Bagnan area of West Bengal, where fishing cats are relatively common. As a naturalist, I have studied their ecology and behavior, but I had never seen them hunt a monitor lizard before,” he said.
Wildlife photographer Sudipta Chakraborty also photographed the same incident from a different angle.
Wildlife expert Tiyasa Adhya, known for her work on fishing cats, described the event as a significant finding. “The fishing cat is considered the top predator in wetland ecosystems. This shows that even a powerful reptile like the monitor lizard, which is similar in size and has a strong tail, can fall prey to it,” she said.
Adhya noted that this may be the first documented record of a fishing cat preying on a monitor lizard. While previous studies mention fish, small rodents, reptiles, and birds in the fishing cat’s diet, a monitor lizard would be considered unusually large prey.
Ecologist Samrat Chakraborty of West Bengal also called the incident “extremely unusual,” noting that existing literature does not list monitor lizards as part of the fishing cat’s diet. He suggested that limited food availability in the Sundarbans, combined with competition from other species, may have forced the animal into opportunistic hunting.
The muddy terrain of the Sundarbans makes it difficult to quickly drag prey to safety, and an adult monitor lizard is a powerful reptile. According to experts, the fishing cat’s success in such a struggle highlights its skill as a predator.
Photographer Sudipta Chakraborty, who has been documenting wildlife for over 15 years, said the incident was an unexpected bonus during a trip aimed at photographing a tigress and her cubs. “Fishing cats usually rely on fish, their primary food. But this individual may not have hunted successfully for days, forcing it to prey on a monitor lizard. This is not normal behavior,” he said.
Santar agreed, adding that the timing was also unusual. “The incident occurred around 8:30 in the morning. Fishing cats, like most felines, usually hunt at night and are rarely seen in the morning unless they are extremely hungry. Moreover, the monitor lizard has very tough skin, making it difficult for a fishing cat to access the flesh,” he said.
— With support from Mongabay Online
