Caracal’s Comeback – First photographic record of Caracal in the Ramgarh Visdhari and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, India

Caracals (Caracal caracal) were once widely distributed in India’s semi-arid regions but lost more than 90% of their range due to habitat loss in the past century. Herein, we present the first photographic evidence of caracal in Rajasthan’s Ramgarh Visdhari and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserves, beyond the two known caracal populations in Kachchh (Gujarat) and Ranthambhore landscape (Ranthambhore, Kailadevi, Dholpur in Rajasthan). This finding indicates return of caracal in Ramgarh and Mukundara, and revived the hope for the species’ conservation in the semi-arid western Indian landscape. The record also highlighted the importance of rigorous scientific monitoring through camera traps in order to record the presence of rare and elusive species in the landscape. Dedicated surveys for caracals, focusing on their ecology, behaviour, and conservation needs, are crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of India’s most endangered cat.