Caracal

About Caracal:

• It is an elusive, primarily nocturnal animal which has traditionally been valued for its litheness and extraordinary ability to catch birds in flight.
• In India, it is called siya gosh, a Persian name that translates as ‘black Ear’.
• They typically use abandoned porcupine burrows and rock crevices for maternal dens, but can be found with their young in dense vegetation.
• They live in small herds and their shy and elusive nature makes them difficult to spot in the wild.
• Habitat: They live in woodlands, savannahs and in scrub forests.
• Distribution:
  • The most suitable habitat for caracals in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh is located in Kutch, the Malwa Plateau, the Aravalli hill range and the Bundelkhand region, 
  • It is found in several dozen countries across Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia. 
• Threats: Large-scale hunting, illegal trading and loss of natural habitats are considered significant threats to the species.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Least concern
  • The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Q1: What is Aravalli Range?

Aravalli Range is a mountain range located in northwestern India. It is one of the oldest fold mountains in the world. It runs approximately 670 km (430 mi) in a south-west direction, starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending in Gujarat.

Source: Gujarat govt to set up caracal breeding and conservation centre in Kutch