Rusty-spotted cat

·       The rusty-spotted cat is one of the cat family's smallest members.

·       It is historical records are known only from India and Sri Lanka. In 2012, it was also recorded in the western Terai of Nepal.

·       The distribution of the rusty-spotted cat is relatively restricted. It occurs mainly in moist and dry deciduous forests as well as scrub and grassland, but is likely absent in evergreen forest.

·       In India, It was observed in eastern Gujarat's Gir National Park, in Maharashtra's Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and along India's Eastern Ghats.

Protection status

·       The rusty-spotted cat is classified as ‘threatened species’ in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

·       It is listed in schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

·       The Indian population is listed on CITES Appendix I. The Sri Lankan population is included on CITES Appendix II.

Threats

·       Habitat loss and the spread of cultivation are serious problems in both India and Sri Lanka.

·       In some area, rusty-spotted cat killed for skin

·       In some areas, this cat is hunted for food or as livestock pest.

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