Home / Environment / Rare Caracal Sighting Offers Hope for Endangered Wild Cat in Pakistan
Rare Caracal Sighting Offers Hope for Endangered Wild Cat in Pakistan
9 Oct
Summary
- Caracal, a critically endangered wild cat, spotted in Pakistan's Kirthar National Park
- Habitat loss, human intrusion, and retaliatory killings threaten the species' survival
- Conservationists recorded the first camera trap footage of a caracal in the region in years
As of October 9th, 2025, conservationists in Pakistan have recorded a rare sighting of a caracal, a critically endangered wild cat, in the Kirthar National Park near Karachi. The footage, captured by the Indus Fishing Cat Project (IFCP), shows an adult male caracal wandering through the hilly terrain, offering a glimpse into the survival of this elusive species.
The caracal, a medium-sized wild cat native to arid regions of Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, is now critically endangered in Pakistan. Wildlife experts warn that habitat loss, increasing human intrusion, and retaliatory killings have pushed the species to the brink of local extinction. One estimate puts the caracal population in Pakistan between 100 and 200, a concerning figure that highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Conservationists spent weeks trying to spot the rare caracal, which they thought no longer existed in this part of Pakistan. The recent sighting, the first camera trap record of the species in years, provides firm evidence that caracals are still present in the country, despite the numerous threats they face. Alongside the adult male, a juvenile caracal was also recently killed by local residents in the same area, further underscoring the challenges the species faces.
Experts stress that the caracal plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region, as its regulation of prey species is essential for sustaining biodiversity and the overall health of the ecosystem. Protecting the caracal, therefore, not only conserves a unique and graceful predator but also ensures the stability of the entire ecosystem it is a part of.
