Barmer/Jaisalmer, Jan. 28 -- The elusive caracal, often called the 'desert's small cheetah' for its exceptional agility and ability to hunt birds mid-air, has come under scientific monitoring in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district. Following recent sightings in the Ramgarh border area, the Forest Department, in coordination with experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), captured a male caracal in the Ghotaru area, fitted it with a radio collar, and released it safely into its natural habitat. The initiative marks an important milestone in monitoring and protecting this highly elusive and endangered species. The operation took place on the night of January 25 by a joint team of experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Forest Department. The caracal was traced in Ghotaru village under Shahgarh gram panchayat, where it was captured, medically examined, fitted with a satellite-based radio collar, and released in the same habitat. Rajasthan forest, environment and climate change minister Sanjay Sharma said, "A male caracal was successfully radio-collared and released in village Ghotaru, Shahgarh Gram Panchayat, Jaisalmer district last night. The expert team from Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was part of this important exercise, strengthening efforts to monitor and protect this elusive species." Wildlife experts note that the caracal is an extremely shy and agile animal, rarely seen in the wild. Known for its exceptional jumping ability, it can hunt birds mid-air, earning the nickname "the desert's small cheetah". Locally, the species is also known as siyagosh. Forest officers said the radio collar will provide precise scientific data on the animal's movement patterns, hunting behaviour, and habitat use. "Continuous tracking through radio signals will help researchers understand how the species adapts to harsh desert temperatures and terrain, and assist in framing future conservation policies. The monitoring will also help protect the animal from poachers and other threats," a forest officer said. It is worth noting that the caracal is on the brink of extinction in India and survives only in limited pockets of the Thar Desert and Kutch region of Rajasthan. Officials said the Shahgarh landscape is a suitable habitat for the species, and if the project proves successful, similar monitoring may extend to other caracals in the region. WII experts said that after the cheetah, the caracal is among India's most threatened feline species. "The sandy terrain of Shahgarh provides a natural habitat for the animal. The rescue and tracking operation was conducted under expert supervision in night conditions, ensuring minimal stress to the animal," the WII expert said. The caracal was being sighted in the Ramgarh border area of the district for some time. Local residents had posted photographs of the animal on social media. Following this, the Forest Department began an investigation. Following this, the Forest Department began an investigation. After confirming the sighting, the department contacted experts from the WII. The team later captured a male caracal in the Ghotaru area, fitted it with a radio collar, and released it safely back into the wild....