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Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

20/09/22 22:01 PM IST

Caracal

In News 
  • A team of researchers have now mapped out the most suitable areas for the caracal species to survive in India.
Reason for extinction
  • The Asiatic caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) is an elusive medium-sized and locally threatened felid (cat) species, which has been widely reported to be on the brink of extinction in India.
  • The reasons are large-scale hunting, illegal trading and loss of natural habitats are considered significant threats to the species.
  • The caracal is currently included in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and the Near Threatened category by the Conservation Assessment and Management Plan and International Union for Conservation of Nature Red list assessment in India.
Major findings
  • They aimed “to identify the potential regions where the caracal might exist in India, based on fine-scale ensemble modelling of its distribution.”
  • The researchers also “intended to evaluate various protected areas where conservation efforts for caracals can be planned from the management and conservation outlook.”
  • The researchers found the most significant potential habitat for caracals in Rajasthan, with an area of 25,221.38 square kilometres, followed by Gujarat (16,652.1 sq km), Madhya Pradesh (6416.01 sq km), Haryana (191.36 sq km), Uttar Pradesh (131.11 sq km), and Maharashtra (34.17 sq km).
  • The most suitable areas for caracals on the district level were found to be in the Kutch district of Gujarat; Sheopur, Morena, and Shivpuri of Madhya Pradesh and Sirohi, Jalore, Alwar, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Dhaulpur, Bundi, Baran, Jaipur, Tonk and Dausa of Rajasthan.
  • The most suitable habitat for caracals in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh is located in Kutch, the Malwa Plateau, the Aravalli hill range and the Bundelkhand region.
About Caracal 
  • The animal had no Hindi or Urdu name but was known in India by its Persian name of Siyahgosh or ‘black ears’.
  • The caracal is a moderately sized cat with a robust build, short face, long canine teeth, tufted ears and long legs
  • Its prominent feature included long black tufts on the ears, two black stripes from the forhad to the nose. The eyes appear to be narrowly opened due to the lowered upper eyelid, probably an adaption to shield the eyes from the sun’s glare
  • The caracal is a slender, moderately sized cat characterised by a robust build, a short face, long canine teeth, tufted ears, and long legs.
Source- DTE 

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