The poorly studied Eurasian lynx in Ladakh needs more research for conservation

Subject : Environment

Section: species in news

Eurasian lynx:

Eurasian lynx is a carnivorous cat species found in barren, relatively open, rocky mountainous plateau of Central Asia. In India, the lynx is found in some parts of Ladakh and Dobaj forest area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district. and sightings of the cat have been very rare.
It is the second largest feline species in Ladakh, after the snow leopard.
Lynx usually prey on Tibetan wooly hare, marmots, and Royle’s pika, female or juvenile ungulates, domestic sheep and goats. Their role in the food chain involves regulating the populations of these prey species.
Over a period of time, it is estimated that the population of Eurasian lynx in India has gone down. Conducting a population survey of the elusive cat is also difficult in comparison to other cat species.

A medium-size cat:

There are six subspecies of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) found in Europe and North-central Asia.
The subspecies found in India is known as the central Asian lynx (Lynx lynxisabellinus). It is also known as Turkestan lynx, Tibetan lynx or Himalayan lynx.
The Eurasian lynx is the largest species of the genus lynx and is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. The species is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act which means it has the highest level of protection.
Locally known as Eeh or Ee in Ladakhi, is found in different parts of Ladakh such as the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tso-Kar basin, Hemis National Park and Nubra Valley, which are major habitats of the cat.

Lynx in Ladakh:

In Ladakh there are three major felids – snow leopard, being the largest cat, is the apex predator, the Eurasian lynx subspecies which is a medium size wildcat and Pallas’s cat which is a small wildcat.
The Eurasian lynx found in Ladakh has long legs and big paws. Its tail is very short and the ears have a black back with long black hair tufts. The fur is yellowish with a faint and almost unmarked coat.
While other subspecies of Eurasian lynx are mostly found in forested areas, the central Asian lynx or Himalayan lynx inhabits a barren environment.
By preying on these herbivores, lynxes help control their numbers, preventing overgrazing and habitat degradation.