Phase III of the project in Gujarat, has secured grants and will soon conduct a comprehensive study. It aims to monitor individual caracal, their territory, their ecology patterns, and plan to mitigate threat accordingly. Additionally, the project will run comparative analysis on all five study areas for better management. The project will resume soon by March 2025.
National Geographic Explorer's Meridian Grantee, soon to be announced officially.
The Gujarat Forest Department's research division is allocating funds to individuals, with a portion earmarked for a project assessing progress in initial phases and identifying an active caracal corridor. This targeted investment underscores the importance of understanding wildlife habitats and fostering conservation efforts in the region.
The IUCN Red List relies on trained Assessors, typically species experts, to evaluate species based on the latest available data and information. These experts have the authority to categorize species into one of the IUCN Red List Categories, following a rigorous set of assessment criteria. This information is drawn from various sources, including scientific papers, books, reports, expert knowledge, indigenous knowledge, and citizen science. Red List Authorities review the assessments, and the IUCN Red List Unit verifies them before publication on the IUCN Red List website. Recently, Shreyas was officially invited to join the esteemed Cat Specialist Group of IUCN as a co-assessor to evaluate the global status of the caracal.
A remarkable photo of an Asiatic caracal swimming in a river has drawn significant attention. In an interview with Jeremy Hance, Shreyas from Caracal Conservation And Research Project explained the significance of this sighting. "Caracals usually avoid water, so this behavior indicates their adaptability to survive in the modern world," Shreyas noted. He also highlighted the challenges caracals face due to habitat loss and human encroachment, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts. This rare image underscores the resilience of caracals and the urgent need to protect their habitats.
