Gurugram: Rusty-Spotted Paint (PrionAnurus Rubiginosus), registered as ‘closely threatened’ by the International Union for natural conservation, has been seen in Aravalis in Rewari, the first sightings in Haryana Selatan.
According to experts, it is the smallest cat species and is only found in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Previously it was seen in December 2014 and April 2015 in the Kelpare National Park Yambannagar.
Wild cats that were difficult to draw last week with a camera trap founded by an assistant wildlife researcher at Ashoka University.
Rakesh Ahalawat has installed several cameras around Manethi Village in Jhajjar within a 5 km radius last week to evaluate the existence of wildlife in Aravalis.
“Speckled cats have been seen here for the first time.
I saw it twice last week.
It seems for a very short time on the camera trap,” Ahlawat said.
We also caught pictures of other wild animals too, including Hyena, Nilgai, Jackal, Porcupine, Civet India, Palm Civet, Ruddy Mongoose, Gray Luwak, Forest Cats, Wild boar, Ahlawat added.
This is the first sighting of cats in Haryana Selatan, because it has a small population here, according to the Ministry of Forestry.
“Rusty cats are present in the area but are not visible.
We plan to install the camera trap because we have observed that the area around eight villages near the Aravalis has a continuous stretch of forest cover,” Sunder Sambharya said, division forest officials, rewari.
The cat was seen at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve during locking and at Sariska Tiger Reserve about three years ago.
Anil Gandas, a wildlife expert, said, “I have worked for the past 20 years in Haryana saved animals in trouble and recorded their sightings, but had not seen a speckled cat in my life.
This species has a very small population, and very rarely find it.
“Forest officials said the camera trap would be installed around an area of around 1,000 hectares in Khol Rewari Blok, consisting of 10 villages near Aravali Hills – Palra, Ahhrod, Bassdada, Khol, Manethi, Bhalda, Majra, Nandha, Balwari and Nandha Khaleta.
“This sighting shows that Aravalis has many wildlife and needs to be protected,” Vaishali Rana Chandra said, a wildlife activist.
The State Wildlife Department also plans to install more than 100 camera traps in Aravalis this year to conduct wildlife censuses.
The survey, which was planned last year but was postponed because Covid, would be carried out together by the Department and the Wildlife Institute of India.
Rare wild cats caught on camera in Aravalis in REWARI
