Asiatic Caracal

In News 

• The Caracal is struggling to survive, although both species (Cheetahs) had a similar distribution in the past. 
  • The caracal is on the verge of extinction in India and it is essential to find suitable areas to conserve it

About Asiatic caracal 

• Scientific Name: Caracall caracal schmitzi 
• It 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. 
• Habitat : Rajasthan,Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana , Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra .
• Historical Linkages: The caracal was the only other feline which was used for hunting in India. 
  • It is known that Firoz Shah Tughlaq had many of them in his hunting establishment.
  •  It was well established in the Mughal Court for Abul Fazl records that Akbar was very fond of using this plucky little animal for hunting purposes.
  • The animal had no Hindi or Urdu name but was known in India by its Persian name of Siyahgosh or ‘black ears’.
• Protection Status: 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.

Source:DTE