The iconic member of the cat family, Caracal is on the verge of extinction and demands urgent attention from stakeholders to ramp up conservation efforts.
About Caracal
- They are mid-size wild cats known for their unique appearance and exceptional agility.
- They are characterised by long legs, reddish-brown fur, a small face, long canine teeth, and most importantly, long, black ear turf.
- They used to inhabit 13 Indian states, but today they are found in just a few states, primarily Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Locally, they are known as Siya gosh.
- Large-scale hunting, illegal trade, and the loss of natural habitats are the major reasons behind their fast-declining population.
- IUCN Red List Status- Least Concern
Possible steps to preserve Caracals
- Generating awareness could yield better results.
- Protecting scrublands will help in ensuring their protection and increasing their population.
What is the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List?
- The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species serves as an inventory of the global conservation status and provides information about the extinction risks of biological species.
- Founded in 1964, this list divides species into nine categories, including Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), and Vulnerable (VU), as per the risks they face.
- It provides comprehensive details about species, their characteristics, and threats they are facing, and also suggests conservation measures suitable for them.
- Its headquarters is situated in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
