Historic Conservation Breakthrough: First Radio-Collared Caracal in India
In a landmark achievement for Indian wildlife conservation, forest officials in Jaisalmer have successfully radio-collared an elusive and endangered caracal for the very first time in the country. This groundbreaking four-day rescue operation concluded on Monday night, marking a significant step forward in understanding and protecting this mysterious feline species.
Rescue Operation and Collaborative Effort
The conservation initiative began late Friday night after reports emerged that a caracal had become ensnared in a leg trap allegedly set by local poachers. The incident occurred in Ghotaru village, adjacent to the Shahgarh gram panchayat in the Jaisalmer border area. A special forest team acted swiftly to ensure the safe rescue of the animal, demonstrating prompt response to wildlife emergencies.
This collaborative effort was led by Jodhpur chief conservator of forests (CCF) Anoop KR, with active participation from the forest department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Together, they managed to radio collar the male caracal and subsequently release it back into its natural habitat, ensuring minimal disruption to the animal's wellbeing.
Addressing Knowledge Gaps About Caracals
Anoop KR explained the significance of this initiative, stating, "Information on caracal in India remains scanty due to its secretive and largely nocturnal behaviour. To address this gap, the department decided to monitor the rescued animal using a radio collar to study its movements and behaviour in the wild." This statement highlights the critical need for enhanced research on this elusive species.
The radio collar, provided by Dr. Bilal Habib of WII, represents advanced tracking technology. It transmits location data every four hours and emits very high frequency (VHF) signals that can be detected within a 5-kilometer range. Remarkably, shortly after its release, the caracal demonstrated its natural hunting instincts by killing a goat, as reported by a senior forest official.
Conservation Significance and Expert Perspectives
State forest minister Sanjay Sharma celebrated this achievement as a "significant conservation achievement" in a social media post. Conservationist Dharmendra Khandal, author of ‘Caracal: An Intimate History of a Mysterious Cat’, elaborated on the milestone's importance.
"This is the first time a caracal has been radio-collared in the country. It marks a major conservation milestone, and will help researchers assess the species' population in the Thar desert, where sightings were reported recently," Khandal noted. He further revealed that over the past decade, only around 350 camera-trap captures have been recorded in regions including Dholpur, Karauli, and Ranthambore, underscoring the rarity of these animals.
Ongoing Monitoring and Habitat Protection
The tracking initiative is spearheaded by assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Ranjit Singh Dholia of the Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP) in Jaisalmer, alongside WII scientists Dr. Sutirtha Dutta, Dr. Moibuddin, and Dr. Tushna Karkaria. This dedicated team will closely monitor the animal's movements, gathering invaluable data on its behavior and habitat usage.
Senior forest officials have acknowledged the challenges involved in protecting this species. Wildlife biologist Dr. Sumit Dookia emphasized the necessity of safeguarding their natural habitat, stating, "The Ghotaru landscape is a known caracal habitat. The species prefers bushy terrain and hunts at night, making sightings rare. Protecting its fragile habitat from pressures such as large solar projects is crucial." This insight highlights the broader conservation issues facing caracals in their natural environment.
This pioneering effort not only represents a technical achievement in wildlife tracking but also opens new avenues for research and conservation strategies aimed at preserving India's endangered caracal population for future generations.
