Context: Recently, a team of researchers have now mapped out the most suitable areas for the Caracal species to survive in India.

About Caracal

• It is an elusive medium-sized felid (cat) species.

• It is native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and arid areas of Pakistan and northwestern India.

• Habitat in India- Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh

In India, the protected areas which provides high conservation potential for caracals are-

• Kachchh Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) in Gujarat

• The tiger reserves of Ranthambhore, Mukundra hills and Sariska

• The Wildlife Sanctuary of Kumbhalgarh, Mount Abu and Todgarh-Raoli in Rajasthan

• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

Features

• It has long legs, a short face, long tufted ears, and long canine teeth.

• Its coat is uniformly reddish tan or sandy, while the ventral parts are lighter with small reddish markings.

• Their bushy tail extends to the hocks.

• They are nocturnal in nature.

• They are highly secretive and difficult to observe.

• It is territorial, and lives mainly alone or in pairs.

• It is a carnivore that typically preys upon small mammals, birds, and rodents.

Threats

• Hunting

• Illegal trading

• Loss of natural habitats

• Road Accidents

Conservation Status

• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972- Schedule I

• International Union for Conservation of Nature Red list- Least Concern

• CITES- Appendix II