National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The caracal is listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan and in Appendix I of the CITES Convention as an endangered subspecies with a mosaic distribution. In Uzbekistan, it inhabits the Ustyurt Plateau and the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River. The species occupies dune and sandy desert areas, gypsum, chinks (steep escarpments) and occasionally the foothills of desertified mountains and tugai forests. During summer, the caracal is primarily nocturnal, while in other seasons it hunts both during the day and at night. Its diet includes hares, rodents, occasionally ungulates, birds, hedgehogs, foxes, reptiles, snakes, and arthropods and it may also feed on carrion. Its lifespan can reach up to 19 years.

For reference: The “Barsakelmes” State Nature Reserve was established in 2022 in the King rad District of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The reserve covers an area of 280,000 hectares. During the autumn wildlife survey conducted in 2025, 42 bird species were recorded (three of which are listed in the Red Book), as well as 17 species of mammals, five of which are also included in the Red Book.