Fishing cats, which are medium-sized felines predominantly found in south-east Asia, have been listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, reports The New Indian Express. This is because of the continuous destruction of wetlands, which are home to fishing cats, for agricultural use and human settlements.
According to an earlier report by the National Geographic, due to massive loss of habitat, fishing cats are forced to feed on poultry and farmed fish which often brings them into conflict with people.
However, some people living in the outskirts of Bhubaneshwar had the good sense of saving a fishing cat which was trapped in a pit at a construction site with the help of a pulley, reports India Today.
The video of the rescue mission was posted on Twitter by Indian Forest Services officer Susanta Nanda. The fishing cat was rescued by a forest team who then released it immediately into a nearby forest.
“It has become rare. Gone are the days when I used to see them in plenty in our village,” wrote IFS Nanda.
Have a look at the video here:
Rescue of a fishing cat from an under constructed bridge by FD officials on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Crowd making it stressful & difficult.
It has become rare. Gone are the days when I used to see the in plenty in our village. Curiosity of crowds is understandable🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/RFzfGn4uQC— Susanta Nanda IFS (@susantananda3) February 5, 2020
Earlier we saw how a woman in Mangaluru risked her own life to save a dog which was trapped inside a 30-feet deep well. Not all times can animals help themselves. As fellow living beings, it is our moral imperative to help those in need.