A camera trap has captured the first photographic evidence of the Pallas's cat in Arunachal Pradesh. (Image: © WWF-India)
The elusive Pallas's cat was photographed in the eastern Himalayas of India, where it had never been seen before. A camera trap image of the grumpy, furry feline against a snowy backdrop marks the first photographic evidence of this species' presence in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Pallas' cats (Otocolobus manul) are among the least studied wild cats in the world and are rarely photographed. Their appearance in Arunachal Pradesh represents a significant expansion of their known range in the eastern Himalayas. They have previously been sighted in Sikkim (India), Bhutan, and eastern Nepal.
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Covering more than 770 square miles (2,000 square kilometers) of rugged terrain, the devices remained active for more than eight months—often in sub-zero temperatures and at altitudes above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters)—making it one of the largest ever wildlife surveys in the region.
Pallas's cat was photographed at altitude
Pallas's cat has been recorded at an altitude of 16,400 feet (4,992 m).
“The discovery of the Pallas's cat in Arunachal Pradesh at an altitude of nearly 5,000 metres [16,400 feet] is a stark reminder of how little we still know about life in the high Himalayas,” said Rishi Kumar Sharma, head of science and conservation at WWF-India's Himalayan programme.
“That the landscape can support snow leopards, clouded leopards, marbled cats, and now the Pallas's cat, along with vibrant pastoral traditions, speaks to its extraordinary richness and resilience.”
Pallas's cats diverged from leopard cats approximately 5.2 million years ago, making them one of the oldest surviving wild cat species. Compact and densely furred, they easily fit into rocky, shrub-covered slopes.
They are ambush predators, emerging at dusk to hunt rodents, small birds, and lizards. To survive the harsh cold, they stand on their bushy tails, using the fur to protect their paws from the frozen ground.
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A snow leopard and a common leopard were photographed marking the same area. (Image courtesy of: © WWF-India)
A camera trap captured a snow leopard and a common leopard marking the same spot. (Image: © WWF-India) MEANINGS
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The study also recorded five other wild cat species in the region. These included the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), common leopard (Panthera pardus), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), and marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata). In a rare observation, one snow leopard and one common leopard were observed marking territory in the same area, providing insight into how these large cats navigate overlapping territories.
“The results of this study are astonishing, and the discovery of so many wild cats at such extreme altitudes opens up exciting new opportunities for ecological research and conservation,” Taku Sai, senior project manager at WWF-India, said in a statement.
Lydia Smith, Social Media Navigator, Science Writer
Lydia Smith is a health and science journalist who has worked for British and American publications. She is studying for a Master's degree in Psychology at the University of Glasgow and holds an MA in English Literature from King's College London.
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