The caracal (Caracal caracal) is a medium-sized wild cat recognized by its robust build, short tail, and long, black ear tufts. This feline has a vast range extending across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia into India. On a global scale, the caracal is not endangered. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species officially classifies the caracal as a species of Least Concern (LC).
The Global Conservation Status
The designation of Least Concern reflects a species that is widespread and abundant throughout its geographic range. This classification is based on the caracal’s presence across more than 50 countries, spanning diverse habitats from African savannas to semi-arid regions of Asia. Although population trends are unknown across much of this area, the overall population size is considered stable at the global level.
The IUCN assessment averages the status of all populations across the entire range to arrive at a single global classification. This means the species does not meet the criteria for a threatened category like Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered. The caracal is also resilient, able to tolerate human-dominated areas and adapt to various climates, which contributes to its stable global status. However, this broad classification obscures challenges faced by certain regional subpopulations.
Regional Status Variations
The conservation status of the caracal varies dramatically depending on the specific region. This complexity explains why conflicting reports about the species often arise. In southern Africa, particularly South Africa and Namibia, caracal populations are robust and considered locally common or abundant.
Conversely, populations at the northern and eastern peripheries of their range are experiencing declines. In North Africa, the species is listed as Threatened, and in Morocco, it is classified as Critically Endangered, indicating a high risk of extinction. The caracal population in Jordan is listed as Endangered, and the species is considered Critically Endangered in parts of Central Asia, such as Uzbekistan.
These local declines are primarily due to fragmented habitats, limited resources, and human pressure. The Asian populations, stretching from the Arabian Peninsula to India, are subject to greater conservation concern. They are listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which prohibits international commercial trade. This designation is stricter than the Appendix II status for African populations, highlighting the species’ vulnerability in Asia.
Primary Threats to Caracal Populations
The main drivers of regional population decline are linked to human activities that reduce available habitat and increase direct conflict. Habitat loss and fragmentation are threats throughout the caracal’s range, driven by agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and the growth of human settlements. This encroachment isolates caracal groups, making them vulnerable to localized extinction.
The most significant threat is persecution due to human-wildlife conflict, particularly retaliatory killings by livestock owners. Caracals occasionally prey on domestic animals like sheep, goats, and poultry, leading to their being viewed as pests in regions like South Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Ranchers often employ lethal control measures, including shooting, trapping, and poisoning, resulting in the deaths of thousands of caracals annually.
A growing concern is the illegal wildlife trade, where caracals are trafficked for the exotic pet market. Although many exported cats come from legal breeding centers, some wild individuals are captured and illegally trafficked, particularly from Africa to Gulf countries. Other threats include secondary poisoning from consuming poisoned rodents and mortality from vehicle collisions.