1 Kurus of Turkey 2021 UNC - Caracal

The Caracal (Caracal caracal) is a widely distributed feline in Africa and Asia, ranging from the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent. In 2008, it was classified as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List, but its status varies regionally. Recognizable by its distinctive black tufts of hair on the ears, it is known for impressive leaps of up to 3 meters to catch birds in flight. Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber described it in 1776, and recent molecular biology studies suggest it forms a distinct genus related to the serval and African golden cat. Although generally stable globally, the Caracal is considered threatened in North Africa and rare in Central Asia and India, emphasizing the need for targeted conservation efforts in these regions.