In a rare success, a rusty-spotted cat, an elusive feline, was captured by cameras in the Takhni-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary in Hoshiarpur. This is the first time this species has been spotted in Punjab.
Dharminder Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Punjab, stated that the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the cat as "near threatened" since 2016. The global population is fragmented due to habitat loss.
The Punjab Wildlife Department has installed cameras in Harike Wildlife Sanctuary and Siswan Community Reserve. The sighting has encouraged the department to install cameras in other locations to monitor faunal diversity.
These cameras have also captured movement of barking deer, porcupines, civets, and smooth-coated otters. Leopards, antelopes, and rare bird species have also been recorded.
The department is increasing vigilance and check-posts to prevent poaching. They aim to preserve areas with more sightings to keep them suitable for wild animals.
Wildlife experts consider the spotting of rare birds and animals a positive sign. Camera traps are an effective way to monitor faunal activities and potentially glimpse rare species.