Palla’s Cats

Lack of records on the status of Palla’s Cat population in Ladakh is impeding the conservation of this small felid species.

• About the Animal:

It is a small wild cat found in grassland and montane steppe habitats in Asia. It is also called ‘Manul’ or Otocolobus manul. They are solitary animals with dense fur. It is one of the 3 felid species in Ladakh, apart from Lynx and the Snow Leopard.

• Distribution:

The Palla’s Cats are found in parts of Central Asia. They are found in Iran, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and India. In India, it’s found in the Trans-Himalayan region of Sikkim, Ladakh and Uttarakhand.

• Conservation Status:

The Palla’s Cat is classified as a near threatened species by the IUCN. It is listed under Appendix II of CITES. It is mainly threatened by habitat loss, free ranging dogs, anthropogenic activities including road construction, pollution and military presence.