Conservationists in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are celebrating the rediscovery of an animal species that is locally considered critically endangered. An Arabian Caracal was spotted in camera traps in the Wadi Wurayah National Park on Sunday by the Fujairah Environment Authority. Only around 250 left in the wild Wadi Wurayah is the UAE's first mountain reserve and national park, located in Fujairah, and is known for its rich biodiversity. The sighting of the Arabian Caracal attains significance as this is only the third documented sighting of the animal, which is also known desert lynx and Persian lynx, since 2019. The sighting of the Arabian Caracal in Wadi Wurayah has renewed hopes of its conservation. (Photo: WWF) Only around 250 Arabian Caracals are believed to be left in the wild in the UAE, and it was first spotted in Jebel Hafeet in 2019, after a gap of nearly 35 years. Another Arabian Caracal sighting was also documented near Wadi Shees in March 2023. We are delighted to announce that we sighted an Arabian #Caracal on Jabal Hafit in #AlAin - for the first time in 35 years. The sand-coloured cat that was last seen in the Emirate of #AbuDhabi in 1984. pic.twitter.com/ZjHV4zGqyb— The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (@EADTweets) February 23, 2019 Although native to the mountains and deserts of the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula, it is an elusive and mainly nocturnal species, rarely seen in the wild. Historically, caracals were trained in the Gulf and India for hunting birds. They also had cultural and religious significance in ancient Egypt, where Caracal sculptures were believed to guard the tombs of pharaohs. Hopes for conservation The sighting of the Arabian Caracal in Wadi Wurayah has renewed hopes of its conservation. “The exciting rediscovery of the Arabian Caracal offers a rare second chance. Protecting this wild cat is a priority, not only because of its vital role in balancing ecosystems, but also because it carries cultural value and potential as a flagship for eco-tourism in the region,” Dr Andrew Gardner, associate director of biodiversity conservation at Emirates Nature-WWF, said. He, however, pointed out that a single record is fragile evidence – not a guarantee of long-term recovery; which is why this finding must be met with immediate, well-planned action.” “The rediscovery of the Arabian caracal in Wadi Wurayah is a powerful reminder of the park’s role as a refuge for rare and threatened species,” said Dr Al Hassan Alhamoudi, director of the biodiversity and natural resources department at Fujairah Environment Authority.
