Citizen Scientists Rediscover Critically Endangered Arabian Caracal in UAE

In a significant conservation milestone, the critically endangered Arabian caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) has been rediscovered in Wadi Wurayah National Park in the United Arab Emirates. This rare sighting was documented by citizen scientists participating in a monitoring project, the Notice Nature mapping initiative, who scanned motion-activated trail camera footage.

Credible sightings of the Arabian caracal had become increasingly rare in recent decades, but the efforts of these volunteer citizen scientists have provided "fresh hope for its survival" in the wild. Trail cameras have been a game-changer for conservationists, enabling continuous monitoring of remote and hard-to-access areas. The advancements in solar-powered batteries and data storage have vastly expanded the capabilities of these trail cameras.

According to the Emirates Nature-WWF organization, the Arabian caracal is classified as Critically Endangered on the UAE National Red List, with likely fewer than 250 mature individuals remaining in the wild. This underscores the importance of protected areas like Wadi Wurayah in sustaining populations of rare species and the vital role of conservation efforts in documenting and monitoring endangered wildlife.