Jaipur: Just two days after the disturbing killing and charring of a caracal in Jaisalmer, conservationists have received a glimmer of hope. A camera trap installed by the Rajasthan forest department has captured the elusive caracal inside Bandh Baretha wildlife sanctuary in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.The development is being considered a major boost for conservation, as the sanctuary—once affected by illegal mining—has witnessed notable ecological recovery in recent years. A senior forest official said, “Conservation measures such as the removal of invasive plant species and the development of water sources have helped restore the habitat, gradually transforming the landscape into a secure refuge for rare and threatened wildlife species.”An expert said, “In the Bharatpur region, caracal was recorded earlier also, but the specific landscape (Bandh Baretha sanctuary) where it has now been spotted is being reported for the first time.”According to a report published in the ‘Journal of Threatened Taxa’ in 2021, only 24 sightings of caracal have been recorded in Rajasthan since 2001 — the highest number reported from any state in the country. However, the current population in the state remains undetermined, and camera trap records suggest that the numbers could be higher.A senior official said, “Earlier, the Ranthambhore National Park landscape was considered home to one of India’s most viable caracal populations. In recent years, sightings of the caracal have improved and have been recorded in Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve, Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, and even in Jaisalmer. There is a need to spread greater awareness about the species and the threats to its survival.”Rajasthan can take pride in harbouring these rare cats in its forests which face severe threats due to habitat loss across several states. Before 1947, caracals were reported across 7,93,927 sq km of India. However, their range declined by 47.99% between 1948 and 2000 and by a staggering 95.95% between 2001 and 2020, shrinking to a mere 16,709 sq km—less than 5% of their 1948–2000 range and just 2.17% of their pre-1947 range.An expert said, “Historically, the caracal’s distribution in India has shrunk from 14 states to just three. Through research, it is important to determine its population and density to develop a conservation action plan in Rajasthan, as it is believed that the state may hold the country’s largest remaining population.”
