Return of Rare Caracal Cat in India

As the Cheetah returns to India, The wildlife experts are now mapping the possible and most suitable wild areas for the reintroduction of caracal in India. The caracal found in India mostly around the states of Rajasthan in Sariska Tiger Reserve and Ranthambhore National Park. Pic- conservationindia

Caracal wild is one of the lesser known species of wild cats found in India, Leopard cat, marbeld cat and fishing cats are being others.

Asiatic Caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi)

Caracal is an elusive medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, Asia, and arid areas of north western Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The Caracal cat is listed as critically endangered due to the loss of habitat and protected under Indian Wildlife Act.

Caracal and Cheetah were two most popular wild cats used for hunting in India by rulers to hunt game birds bustards, francolins, and other land birds. Cheetahs are successfully introduced in the Kuno National Park where they are hunting upon Chital, Sambhar and Gazelles.

The Caracal Cat is in line to become second wild cat species in India to go extinct after Cheetah, However their presence has been reported from three states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Ranthambhore, Sariska are best place to spot Caracal in India.

The dry scrub forest of Gujarat and Rajasthan are not only home to India’s rarest wild cat but also support a healthy population of other wild Indian cat species including Jungle Cat, Desert Cat, Rusty-Spotted Cat and Asiatic wildcat.

Asiatic Wild Cat (Felis lybica ornata)

Asiatic wildcat known as the Indian desert cat found in western India, in the low-lying desert and semi-desert areas of Thar Desert, also recorded in Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary. The Indian desert cat has been spotted in Tal Chappar wildlife sanctuary,Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve and in Panna Tiger Reserve.

Asiatic Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii)

Asian golden cat is another wild cat species found in the northeastern Indian subcontinent in Golden, reddish brown and buff brown colour. Golden cat found from Nepal, northeastern India to Bhutan and prefers rocky areas, ropical rainforests and inhabits dry forest. They were record in Buxa Tiger Reserve, Manas National ParkDampa Tiger Reserve and Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)

The rare and elusive Jungle Cat are found in the forests of Rajasthan Gujarat and also the range includes habitats from scrub forest, grassland and river valley. The medium-sized wild cat is native to the Indian subcontinent and solitary in nature, Just like other felidae species found in India.