The forests of Madhya Pradesh just shared a quiet secret. A caracal—one of India’s rarest wild cats—has been caught on camera. For conservationists, it's a long-awaited glimpse of hope.
First Caracal Sighting Since Project Cheetah Began
The elusive cat was recorded at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. It was captured on a camera trap in Mandsaur’s fenced Cheetah Closed Natural Area. This is the first confirmed sighting in nearly 20 years. The animal was seen thrice on July 1 at the same spot—at 2:35 am, 10:05 pm, and 11:38 pm.
The update was shared by Dr. Bilal Habib of the Wildlife Institute of India. In a letter to the state’s wildlife unit, he confirmed the presence of the caracal. He noted that camera traps were placed to track leopards and prey. But what they found was far more unexpected.
Dr. Habib said the sighting could be a positive sign. He added it may reflect habitat restoration success under Project Cheetah. He also mentioned that this aligns with the project’s original goals.
Caracals Were Once Thought to Be Lost in State
Back in 2019, forest officials searched the Ujjain circle for signs. They even put up "most wanted" posters across rural villages. Locals were asked to report any unusual sightings. But only jungle cats showed up—often confused with caracals due to similar features.
In 2023, the state made a plan to reintroduce the species. The Gwalior region was considered for the revival project. Officials then confirmed no caracals had been seen in Madhya Pradesh for nearly 20 years.
The new sighting in Mandsaur has now revived those efforts. Experts believe the animal may still have hidden pockets to survive in.
About the Elusive Caracal and Its Threats
Caracals are native to India, Africa, and Central Asia. Known for their tall black ear tufts and athletic leaps, they hunt alone and mostly at night. They are strong hunters and can snatch birds from midair.
These cats favour dry scrub, semi-arid land, and moist woods. But rising habitat loss has made their survival very tough. Human activity continues to shrink their natural range.
Caracals are listed as a threatened species by the IUCN. In India, they are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. This grants them the highest legal shield in the country. Yet their numbers remain dangerously low and scattered.
This rare sighting now breathes new life into hopes. It signals that nature, when cared for, quietly finds its way back.
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