Rare Caracal Cub Spotted in Jaisalmer Desert | 05 Sep 2025

Why in News?

Experts have confirmed a rare caracal cub in the Jaisalmer desert, making a significant wildlife discovery for Rajasthan.

• Following a photo-based sighting, authorities have launched population surveys and intensified patrolling in the border areas of Jaisalmer.

Key Points

• About: The Caracal is a medium-sized wildcat found in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, including India. 
  • In India, the population is estimated at around 50 individuals, mostly in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
  • It plays an important role in local ecosystems as a predator and is known for its distinctive physical features and remarkable hunting abilities.
• Habitat: Adapted to savannas, semi-deserts, dry woodlands, rocky hills, arid hilly steppes, and dry mountainous regions.
• Taxonomy and Relation: Caracal is more closely related to the African golden cat and serval than to true lynxes, despite often being called the “desert lynx”.
  • In India, it is called ‘siya gosh’, a Persian-derived term meaning ‘black ear’.
  • Its scientific name is Caracal caracal.
• Physical Features:
  • Caracals possess slender bodies and long legs, and are the largest among Africa’s small cats.
  • Adults weigh between 8-18 kg and may reach up to a meter in length. Males are generally larger than females.
  • The fur is short, dense, and ranges from tawny-brown to reddish-tan with lighter underparts.
  • They have distinct facial markings, featuring dark lines and white highlights around the eyes.
• Conservation Status:
  • Least Concern (globally) in the IUCN Red List.
  • Listed under Schedule I of India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (maximum protection).
• Threats:
  • Habitat loss, shrinking prey base, and human-wildlife conflict.