India is one of the world’s most populous nations and one of the most dedicated to preservation of its wildlife. Indian wildlife faces threats from expanding population and the habitat loss that come with it. Rare Indian cats now have increased protection according to The Pioneer.
Among its many distinctions is India’s plethora of wild cat species. 15 of the approximately 40 species of wild cats live in India. That is more than any other nation. Tigers (Panthera tigris), leopards (Panhera pardus), and now cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are among the cats India is working to protect. Now two more rare Indian cats are getting increased protection. They are Pallas’ s cat (Otocolubus manul) and the Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellinus). According to the Pioneer, an Indian news website, the protection is in the form of recognition as migratory species.
“Having unique characteristics and habitats, their inclusion in Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) has been much awaited demand from wildlife experts seeking targeted conservation efforts as the number of both the cats in India are on decline. This would be a significant step toward their conservation and management, particularly in regions like India where information on their distribution and status is limited. Both species, known for their elusive behavior, face various threats, and concerted efforts are required to ensure their survival.” The website said.
“The Central Asian lynx, a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, is sparsely distributed in regions such as India’s trans-Himalayan area of Ladakh. Sightings of this medium-sized carnivore are rare, and its population appears to be declining. The inclusion of the Central Asian lynx in Appendix II encourages international cooperation for its conservation, leveraging networks established for the protection of species like the snow leopard, with which it shares its habitat.
Similarly, the Pallas’ cat, primarily found in Central Asia but also recorded in regions like Ladakh, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh, faces threats such as habitat loss and poaching. Experts emphasize the importance of targeted conservation measures for these species, especially in areas like Ladakh where they coexist with threats like free-ranging dogs.” the website added.
The two rare Indian cats have very different profiles in the conservation world. Because the Manul has a striking appearance it has begun to attract internation attention. Some call it the “world’s grumpiest cat. The manul genome has recently been mapped. The Turkestan lynx is a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx. The cat is widely distributed but appears to be in decline in India. Eurasian lynx are not endangered, unlike their Iberian cousins. India recently re-introduced cheetahs to the country from which they were driven in the 1950’s.