Rare Sighting of Critically Endangered Arabian Caracal Captured on Trail Cam
A breathtakingly rare sighting of an Arabian caracal, a critically endangered wildcat species native to the UAE's mountains and deserts, has been captured on trail camera footage in Wadi Wurayah National Park. The stunning images have sent waves of excitement among conservationists and animal lovers worldwide, offering new hope for the species' survival.
The sighting was made possible by the Emirates Nature-World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and their partners, Fujairah Environment Authority and Mashreq, who support the organization's biodiversity-mapping initiative. The camera trap footage, released on Instagram in October, shows the majestic creature trekking through rocky terrain, its distinctive black ear tufts and powerful build making it instantly recognizable.
With fewer than 250 mature individuals remaining in the wild, the Arabian caracal is one of the most critically endangered big cat species globally. Native to the UAE's mountainous regions, these apex predators play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance by regulating prey populations.
The sighting provides critical data for assessing the species' status and fragile habitats, which will be vital in guiding future conservation strategies. The Emirates Nature WWF is planning to launch a short documentary series about camera trap setup across the UAE, aiming to educate people on the process behind conservation while encouraging citizen science participation.
The Instagram video has garnered over 32,000 views, with many users expressing amazement and admiration for the spotting of this rare wild animal. The discovery serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of conservationists and researchers who strive to protect these majestic creatures and their habitats.
A breathtakingly rare sighting of an Arabian caracal, a critically endangered wildcat species native to the UAE's mountains and deserts, has been captured on trail camera footage in Wadi Wurayah National Park. The stunning images have sent waves of excitement among conservationists and animal lovers worldwide, offering new hope for the species' survival.
The sighting was made possible by the Emirates Nature-World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and their partners, Fujairah Environment Authority and Mashreq, who support the organization's biodiversity-mapping initiative. The camera trap footage, released on Instagram in October, shows the majestic creature trekking through rocky terrain, its distinctive black ear tufts and powerful build making it instantly recognizable.
With fewer than 250 mature individuals remaining in the wild, the Arabian caracal is one of the most critically endangered big cat species globally. Native to the UAE's mountainous regions, these apex predators play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance by regulating prey populations.
The sighting provides critical data for assessing the species' status and fragile habitats, which will be vital in guiding future conservation strategies. The Emirates Nature WWF is planning to launch a short documentary series about camera trap setup across the UAE, aiming to educate people on the process behind conservation while encouraging citizen science participation.
The Instagram video has garnered over 32,000 views, with many users expressing amazement and admiration for the spotting of this rare wild animal. The discovery serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of conservationists and researchers who strive to protect these majestic creatures and their habitats.
I mean, have you seen a caracal in person? They're like something out of a movie, right? So rare to see one on camera and now we get to learn more about 'em. Like, how many are left in the wild, 250? That's like, super low. We gotta do everything we can to help protect these amazing animals 
a critically endangered species like the arabian caracal is being spotted on trail cam in wadi wurayah national park!!! 
that's like, super rare, right? i mean, we already know how vulnerable these animals are with only 250 mature individuals left in the wild... but to see one trekking through rocky terrain like it owns the place 
? that's just wow! 
and can you imagine watching a short docu series about camera trap setup across the uae? that sounds so cool! 
i'm def gonna check it out on instagram ASAP 
I mean, can you believe how lucky we are to have these incredible creatures still roaming free? It's like, they're this super rare gem that we're not even sure if it'll survive the next few decades. But at the same time, it's amazing that people are getting so stoked about it because that means there are people out there who care.
it's honestly breathtakingly beautiful. i'm not surprised tho, conservationists have been working so hard to protect these majestic creatures & their habitats. i'm low-key hyped that there's a documentary series coming out too! 
it's gonna be lit to learn about the process behind camera trap setup & all that jazz 
, it's like we're getting glimpses into the lives of these incredible animals! I mean, have you seen how cool that caracal looks in those pics? 
. Can't wait to see that documentary series and learn more about conservation efforts!
we need to do so much more to protect our planet's precious wildlife ASAP 
the arabian caracal is like so stunning! it's crazy how rare they are too, like fewer than 250 in the wild?! 
i wish i could visit wadi wurayah national park and spot one for myself, that would be a dream come true 
And trail cam footage? That's like, so cool! I've got to check out that Instagram video - over 32k views? That's like, crazy cat lady territory 
. Seriously though, conservation efforts are really paying off and I'm all for it. Can't wait to see that short doc series - who knows, maybe I'll even learn something new 
. On a serious note, it's awesome to see people getting excited about wildlife and conservation. Let's hope this momentum keeps up and we can protect our amazing UAE critters for generations to come 
But then again, I mean, a camera trap footage is pretty cool and all, and it's great that people are getting excited about conservation efforts... unless we're just distracting ourselves from the fact that these cats are still super endangered? 
And what's with the doc series on camera trap setup? Like, isn't that just gonna be a bunch of scientists talking at us?