An awareness campaign has been started in the community to protect the Malaha cat (fishing cat), a rare and endangered species found in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.

For the protection of the Malaha cat, which is in crisis due to lack of protection, the Reserve has started an initiative with the participation of local communities, conservationists, researchers and various stakeholders. Bhupendra Prasad Yadav, senior conservation officer of the reserve, informed that the program started in collaboration with Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, National Nature Conservation Fund (Koshi State) and Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance will spread more awareness in the community about Malaha cat conservation.

This rare cat species found in the Terai region of Nepal is called 'Malaha Biralo' in the local language. Rama Mishra, an expert who has researched and studied Malaha cat, said that this animal, which lives in wetlands, river banks and swampy areas, is very skilled at eating fish.

According to him, there is confusion in the community about this species, due to which it has started to be threatened by humans. Its lifestyle, habitat and hunting methods are different from other cats. It uses water-resistant fur, webbed feet and a rubbery tail to efficiently swim and catch fish. According to Mishra, the number of Malaha cats is decreasing day by day due to the recent destruction of wetlands, decrease in fish population, and dogs kept in man-made fish ponds.

A detailed scientific survey or census of the Malaha cat has not been completed in Nepal so far. But according to preliminary estimates, it is estimated that there are up to 500 Malaha cats in the country. There is a record of its presence in Nepal from Sunsari to Kanchanpur, while among the protected areas, there are 20 in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, 9 in Chitwan, 25 in Suklaphat and 9 in Suklaphat. is At the same time  Parsa and  It is present in Bardiya National Parks.