Experts are raising awareness about the lack of research support for animals in the Eastern Ghats, particularly the rusty spotted cat. This wild feline, which is only half the size of its domesticated counterpart, coexists with tigers in the Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh. Although tigers are closely monitored, little is known about the current condition of rusty spotted cats. Wildlife enthusiasts in the area have a distinct opportunity to study both extremes of the feline spectrum in the same sanctuary, highlighting the importance of gathering more information on this enigmatic species that has been sighted in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. These concerns will be presented at the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders meeting in Washington D.C.
The wildlife experts often refer to the world’s smallest wild cat species, but some argue that the African black-footed cat qualifies for the title. The small Indian feline is currently listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List, but its status in the Eastern Ghats region remains uncertain. The founder of the Eastern Ghats Wild Life Society (EGWS), Murthy Kantimahanti, notes that despite the cat’s presence in all forests of the Eastern Ghats, there have been no significant studies on it. Murthy has been invited to a conservation meeting in Washington D.C, where he plans to advocate for comprehensive research on various wildlife species in the Eastern Ghats. You can also watch this fascinating video featuring the Rusty Spotted Cat!
The video has been taken from the platform of YouTube.
