Rare Pallas’s Cat and five other wild cats photographed above 4,200 metres in Arunachal Pradesh

Rare Wild Cats Photographed in Arunachal Pradesh Wildlife Survey (Image: WWF)

A recent Arunachal Pradesh wildlife survey uncovered rare findings. WWF-India carried out the large-scale survey in 2024. The most notable find was the first-ever photo of Pallas’s cat in the state. The survey also documented five other wild cat species at high altitude.

What Rare Wild Cats Were Found in Arunachal Pradesh?

The elusive Pallas’s cat was captured on camera for the first time. Snow leopard, common leopard, clouded leopard, leopard cat, and marbled cat were also recorded. These were spotted above 4,200 metres in rugged high-altitude rangelands. The landscape shows remarkable diversity for wild cats. The survey was conducted across West Kameng and Tawang districts. Researchers set up 136 camera traps in 83 locations. These covered 2,000 square kilometres of remote terrain. The cameras ran for more than eight months. The ground team encountered harsh weather and rugged terrain. Local guides and residents were important components.

What New Elevation Records Were Documented?

The survey recorded highest elevation sightings for several species in India. The common leopard was seen at 4,600 metres above sea level. The clouded leopard appeared at 4,650 metres. Marbled cat was spotted at 4,326 metres. The Himalayan wood owl was recorded at 4,194 metres. The grey-headed flying squirrel appeared at 4,506 metres. These records may exceed known global elevation limits. The Pallas’s cat was found at nearly 5,000 metres. Although below the global maximum, this discovery is significant. It extends the known range of the species in India. Previously, Pallas’s cat was recorded in Sikkim, Bhutan, and Nepal.

How Do Big Cats Coexist in the Region?

In rare behaviour, a snow leopard and common leopard marked the same area. This offers insight into their shared alpine habitats. The survey also took photographs of the Brokpa herding community. Their ancient pastoral ways have lived in harmony with wildlife for millennia. These pictures illustrate human-nature concordance in Arunachal's highlands.

Taku Sai from WWF-India called the findings remarkable. The high-altitude wild cats open new research opportunities. Dr Rishi Kumar Sharma noted the discoveries’ importance for science. He said this proves how little is known about high Himalayas. The survey shows these landscapes support rich biodiversity and traditions. PCCF Ngilyang Tam called it a milestone in research. The discoveries reaffirm Arunachal’s status as a biodiversity hotspot. He urged continued investment in conservation and scientific monitoring. WWF-India’s efforts include snow leopard and red panda protection. The community conserved area model helps local livelihoods and ecosystems.

This survey showcases how science and local knowledge safeguard nature. The findings offer fresh hope for fragile Himalayan ecosystems.