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Rusty-spotted cat roadkills recorded at Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh

Rusty-spotted cat roadkills recorded at Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh
Roads in India are a deadly risk to the world’s smallest wild cat · scroll.in

There is a tiny wild cat called the rusty-spotted cat.

It is the smallest wild cat in the whole world.

It lives in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

It is only about half the size of a pet cat.

Scientists found two of these tiny cats that had been hit by vehicles on roads.

The cats were found at the National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, India.

This was the first time the cat was seen in that part of the state.

The little cat hunts mostly at night, so drivers often cannot see it in time.

Roads are dangerous for small animals, and scientists believe many more go unnoticed.

To help, scientists suggest speed awareness, wildlife signs, and special crossings under or over roads.

Key facts

Species
Rusty-spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus)
Distinction
World's smallest wild cat species
Size
38-45 cm body length; 1-2 kg weight
Native range
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka
Location of records
National Chambal Sanctuary, Etawah, Uttar Pradesh
Publication
Journal of Threatened Taxa (May)
Other roadkill records
9 in Gujarat (2016-2024), 4 in Rajasthan (2000-2020), 1 in Nepal

Quotes

Vishnupriya Kolipakam

Wildlife Institute of India scientist and paper author

“"Roads that are especially risk-prone for small carnivores should be identified through studies and regularly monitored for roadkills," she said.”
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“"Small cats suffer due to their size and nocturnal habits, which makes detection by drivers difficult," she said.”
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Sources

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