Elusive Caracal spotted at Sariska reserve after 12 years

Jaipur: The elusive caracal (Caracal Caracal Schmitzi), a medium-sized wild cat on the brink of extinction in India, was reportedly sighted at Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR). A camera trap in the reserve captured an image of the rare feline on Oct 22. These motion-sensor cameras photograph animals as they pass, providing crucial evidence of their presence.Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden of Rajasthan, Pavan Kumar Upadhyay, said, "The caracal is an extremely rare animal. Its presence is a promising sign for conservation efforts. As a divisional forest officer (DFO) at Sariska, I spotted one in 1999, but I couldn't capture a photograph. Now, the camera trap has confirmed its existence."This sighting marks a nearly 12-year gap since the last confirmed presence of a caracal in Sariska. According to the recently published book "Caracal: An Intimate History of a Mysterious Cat," the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) last recorded a camera trap image of the caracal in the reserve on June 5, 2012.The discovery has reignited discussions among wildlife experts. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a leading wildlife research organisation in India, recently urged Rajasthan Forest Department to initiate a conservation breeding programme for the Indian caracal in STR. However, this proposal was shelved after opposition from experts, who raised concerns about introducing caracals from Africa and Israel, as they tend to be larger in size.A senior official said, "The proposal was turned down as only the Indian subspecies, which continues to exist in various parts of the country, should be considered for reintroduction."Former state wildlife board member and president of Sariska Tiger Foundation Sunil Mehta contended that the spotted cat might not be a caracal at all. "Upon reviewing the footage, it appears to be a jungle cat rather than a caracal. While caracals historically inhabited Sariska, there have been no sightings for over a decade. Like tigers, I believe caracals should be reintroduced in Sariska. BNHS has already made an offer, but habitat restoration, controlling vehicular traffic, reducing biotic pressure from grazing buffaloes, and village rehabilitation must precede any such reintroduction. These actions are crucial and urgently needed."