Elusive Caracal Spotted In Mukundra Hills For The First Time, Photo Viral – News18

Last Updated:March 17, 2025, 14:16 is

The fascinating wild cat, critically endangered in India, appeared during the reserve’s Phase IV survey, making it a significant moment for conservationists.

A rare sighting has thrilled wildlife enthusiasts – an elusive caracal has been captured on camera in Rajasthan’s Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve for the very first time. This fascinating wild cat, critically endangered in India, appeared during the reserve’s Phase IV survey, making it a significant moment for conservationists. The news was shared by Rajasthan’s Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma in a post on X, calling it a “Holi surprise.” He applauded the relentless efforts of the forest staff in protecting the region’s wildlife.

“On this vibrant day of Holi, the Rajasthan forest department is excited to share the first photographic record of Caracal in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. The winter Phase IV survey of the tiger reserve recorded this camera trap image of Caracal. The strong protection regime of the Mukundra Hills tiger reserve serves as an umbrella to protect elusive small cats like the Caracal. Credit to the field staff who protect these habitats sincerely despite festivals or holidays,” he wrote in his post.

Look at it here:

“A wonderful news, congratulations forest department. Happy Holi,” commented a user. “That’s a really nice and healthy-looking one. Hats off to the field staff for their consistent efforts and dedication come rain or shine,” wrote another one. “Indeed they deserve a kudos for that. Congratulations to you and your departments’ officers and personnel,” read a comment. “Yes caracal conservation is a must, hope breeding centres for caracal are established too,” read another comment.

Interestingly, this wasn’t the only recent caracal sighting in Rajasthan. Not long ago, two others were spotted in the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve. The state’s forest department has already reached out to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun to conduct a specialised study on this rare species.

Known locally as siyalghosh, the caracal is one of India’s most elusive wild cats. IFS officer Parveen Kaswan also shared the image and called it “a pic to behold.”

“Pic to behold. You are seeing Caracal, captured by a camera trap in Mukundra Hill reserve. A beautiful but critically endangered wild cat species, also called Siyalghosh. Only a handful of adults remain in India. So this pic will delight wildlife enthusiasts. Pc Raj FD,” he wrote in his X post.

Caracals, with their distinctive black-tufted ears and remarkable hunting prowess, are found in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of India. Unfortunately, their population in India has dwindled to an estimated 50, mainly surviving in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Location :

Delhi, India, India