^{Photo Credit: Shantanu Prasad}

If you’ve already ticked off lions, tigers, pumas, and leopards from your wildlife bucket list, here’s a unique feline to add to your collection: the Baghrol, also known as the Fishing Cat.

This remarkable wildcat has evolved as a wetland specialist and has several adaptations that allow it to thrive in aquatic environments. With partially webbed feet, a dense fur coat that keeps it warm and dry, and an impressive ability to hunt in water, the Fishing Cat is a true marvel of nature.

Unlike most felines, Fishing Cats are adept swimmers and can even dive underwater to catch their prey. While fish is their primary diet, as their name suggests, these versatile hunters also prey on a variety of other species, including snakes, crabs, birds, and small mammals.

West Bengal, with its rivers, floodplains, and mangroves, serves as a stronghold for the Fishing Cat, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts who want to see this aquatic feline in the wild.

This expedition can easily be combined with spotting another elusive creature: the Red Panda.

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