| Event | Caracal, a medium-sized and locally threatened cat, was seen for the first time in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan. |
| About Caracal | - Scientific Name: Caracal Caracal Schmitzi. - Nocturnal cat species found in Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. - Known for its long, pointed, black tufted ears. - Derived from Turkish word 'karakulak' (black ears). - Extremely agile predator with fast speed and long jumping ability. - Main diet includes small hoofed animals and rodents. |
| Historical Importance | - Mentioned in historical texts like Khamsa-i-Nizami and Shahnama. - Once found in biological provinces across 13 states of India. |
| Distribution | - Found mostly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. - Located in Kutch, the Malwa Plateau, the Aravalli hill range. - Also found in several countries across Africa, Middle East, Central and South Asia. |
| Habitats | Semi-deserts, steppes, savannah, scrubland, dry forest, moist woodland, or evergreen forest. Prefers open terrain and drier, scrubby, arid habitats with cover. |
| Declination in Numbers | - Population reduced to less than 50 in India. - Between 2001 and 2020, population declined by more than 95%. - Staple food scarce due to habitat loss and urbanization. |
| Conservation Status | - IUCN Red List: Least Concern. - Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I. - CITES: Appendix I. - In 2021, classified as critically endangered by National Board for Wildlife and MoEFCC. |
| Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve | - Located in Hadauti region of Rajasthan. - Spread over 759 sq km across four districts: Kota, Bundi, Chittaurgarh, and Jhalawar. - Consists of a core area of 417 sq km and a buffer zone of 342 sq km. - Declared a protected area in 1955. - Surrounded by four rivers: Ramzan, Aahu, Kali, and Chambal. - Third largest tiger reserve in Rajasthan after Ranthambore and Sariska. - Declared a Tiger Reserve in 2013 under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. |
