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Rare Caracal Poached: India's Wild Cat on Brink of Extinction
18 Mar
Summary
- A charred caracal carcass was found in Rajasthan, a rare wild cat near extinction.
- The species is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Habitat destruction and conflict with locals threaten the caracal's survival.
The recent discovery of a charred caracal carcass in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer region has heightened alarm over the critical status of this rare wild feline in India. Experts warn the species is perilously close to extinction, with an estimated population of fewer than 100 individuals, primarily in Rajasthan and Gujarat. This marks the first documented killing of a caracal in Rajasthan in nearly four decades.
The caracal, a Schedule I protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, has suffered a drastic reduction in its historical habitat, with approximately 95% destroyed. Conservationists emphasize the urgent need for swift compensation for livestock losses and increased community awareness to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Despite legal protections, threats persist, including poaching and increasing conflict with pastoralists. In Gujarat's Kutch region, several caracals have been killed following livestock attacks. The current extent of the caracal's occurrence is estimated at a mere 0.57% of its former range, signaling a steep decline and emphasizing the dire need for a targeted conservation plan to prevent its disappearance from India.
