13-03-2021 | 13:55 PM
Now Caracal is a critically endangered species
Context
Recently, the National Board for Wildlife and Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change included the caracal in the list of critically endangered species.
Key Highlights
In the meeting approval was given for including Caracal, a medium sized wildcat into the list of critically endangered species for taking up conservation efforts with financial support under centrally sponsored scheme Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat.
The caracal wild cat (Caracal caracal) is a rare species in India. They are slender, medium-sized cats with long powerful legs and tufted ears.
The black tufted ears of this cat are one of its most distinguishing features.
Caracal is shy, nocturnal, elusive and difficult to spot in the wild.
In India, presence of these Cats has been reported from only three states which are Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
In Madhya Pradesh it is locally called as Shea-gosh or siyah-gush.
In Gujarat, Caracals are locally referred to as Hornotro which means killer of a Blackbuck.
In Rajasthan it is known as Junglee Bilao or Wildcat.
Caracals are mostly killed for livestock predation however in some areas of the world it is hunted for its meat and flesh.
Besides India, the caracal is found in countries like Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia.
