Caracal killing in Jaisalmer highlights extinction risk

Jaipur: The recovery of a charred caracal carcass in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer region has renewed concern over the fate of one of India's rarest wild cats, with experts warning the species is close to extinction in the country.The caracal body was discovered Monday after it was allegedly killed by locals in retaliation for livestock attacks, marking the first recorded killing of the species in Rajasthan in almost 40 years. The wild feline is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The caracal, known for its elusive nature, has had its historical habitat severely diminished, with nearly 95% already destroyed. As South Asia's most endangered wild feline, its population in India is estimated to be fewer than 100 individuals, primarily concentrated in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Dharmendra Khandal, a field biologist and author of "Caracal: An Intimate History of a Mysterious Cat," asserted that the presence of caracals in Rajasthan had been suspected for some time, with past records hinting at their existence across the border in Pakistan. Khandal said urgent conservation measures were needed, including quick compensation for livestock losses and greater awareness among local communities. A senior forest official corroborated Khandal's claims about the bleak future of the species, confirming that while exact population figures remain elusive, the outlook is grim. Experts said the species has suffered a steep decline; its current extent of occurrence is estimated at just 0.57% of its former range. Historical records show 27 documented cases of caracals being hunted or killed by people before the Wildlife Protection Act came into force in 1972. Reports later emerged of caracals being killed for their skins in Rajasthan in the early 1980s. The last recorded poaching case in India was in 1985. Threats have continued despite legal protection. Experts said poaching remains a risk in parts of the species' range, while conflict with pastoralists has become a growing concern. In Gujarat's Kutch region, five of 19 caracal records between 2000 and 2020 involved animals killed after attacks on livestock. Similar incidents have also been reported from the greater Ranthambhore landscape. Experts warned that without a targeted conservation plan, the caracal could disappear from India. Jaisalmer: The charred remains of a critically endangered caracal, allegedly poached near the Shahgarh border area of Jaisalmer district, were recovered Monday, a day after video footage of the animal's carcass first surfaced on social media.Forest officials said the body of the wild cat appeared to have been burnt in an attempt to destroy evidence, as the carcass showed no fire damage in social media footage from a day earlier.Three suspects seen in the footage have been arrested following a joint operation by personnel from the forest department and Shahgarh police. A tractor allegedly used in the crime has also been seized.Police identified the accused as Ibrahim Khan (32), Uma (31) and Salidad (50), all residents of Shahgarh.The forest department took the caracal remains into custody and registered an FIR in this connection. A post-mortem examination of the animal was conducted by a medical board, after which the carcass was disposed of according to protocol.Jodhpur chief conservator of forests, Anoop K R, said the recovery and arrests followed an operation in the Shahgarh area about 3km from the Indo–Pakistan border, where the animal is believed to have been killed.