DHAKA: A 38-year-old man, Md Alamgir Hossain, was sent to jail on Sunday (March 23) for killing a rare fishing cat in Dhanagora village in the Kudulgachhi union of Chuadanga, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported.
The incident occurred in the afternoon on March 21, when Alamgir Hossain, along with two accomplices-Mintu, 35, and Md. Saiful Islam, 45-stabbed the fishing cat near the Manikdoya Road, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Sunday.
A video of the killing went viral on Facebook, which triggered widespread outrage among netizens and prompted an investigation by the Forest Department.
The fishing cat, which has a deep yellowish-grey fur with black lines and spots, is a rare wild cat of South and South-East Asia. Larger than a domestic cat, the fishing cat is well adapted to catching fish, its primary prey.
In response to the viral video, a team from the Forest Department visited the site of the incident on Sunday.
After conducting an inspection, the Damurhuda Upazila administration instructed the Darshana Police Station to file a case. Later the cops registered the case and arrested the main accused, Alamgir Hossain.
Alamgir Hossain was subsequently sent to jail.
Voluntary organisations Manabatar Jonno and Pankouri helped the authorities investigate the incident and raise awareness about wildlife protection.
Additionally, the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division in Khulna distributed awareness leaflets about the conservation of fishing cats to promote the protection of this endangered species. - Bernama-BSS
