A wildlife monitoring project in the UAE has revealed an unexpected discovery — the rare Arabian caracal has been caught on camera for the first time in years. The sighting occurred in the remote Wadi Wurayah National Park, a protected mountain area in Fujairah. Trail cameras, installed as part of a conservation effort, documented the animal’s presence, confirming what many believed was nearly impossible. This rediscovery marks a hopeful turning point for one of the region’s most elusive predators.
Rediscovering A Ghost Of The Desert
For decades, scientists and wildlife experts feared that the Arabian caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) had all but vanished from the UAE’s rugged landscapes. Its reappearance in Wadi Wurayah was described as a groundbreaking moment for regional conservation.
“In a milestone for conservation, the Arabian caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) has been rediscovered in Wadi Wurayah National Park,” EmiratesNature-WWF announced.
The announcement followed an analysis of data from motion-triggered trail cameras placed deep within the park’s valleys. These cameras are part of a broader biodiversity monitoring initiative that has been running quietly for several years. According to conservationists, the footage offers not only visual proof of the species’ survival but also insights into its behavior and habitat preferences.
The discovery is being celebrated by environmental groups as a beacon of hope, highlighting the park’s crucial role as a refuge for rare and endangered species. Local authorities are now working with researchers to analyze the data, track potential individuals, and ensure stronger protection measures within the park boundaries.
The Elusive Predator Of The Emirates
Known for its tufted ears and stealthy movements, the Arabian caracal has long been considered a “ghost” of the desert. The species is rarely seen even by seasoned rangers.
In EmiratesNature-WWF’s post, the organization noted that caracals are “so elusive and mostly nocturnal, they’ve only been recorded a handful of times in recent decades.”
This nocturnal behavior, combined with the harsh mountainous terrain of Wadi Wurayah, has made studying the caracal nearly impossible. Most of what is known about its population and habits has been pieced together from indirect evidence — tracks, prey remains, and rare camera-trap images.
Researchers believe that the species once ranged widely across the Arabian Peninsula, but rapid development, habitat fragmentation, and declining prey availability have drastically reduced its numbers. Conservationists hope that this rediscovery will renew public interest in protecting the UAE’s fragile mountain ecosystems, which also host species like the Arabian tahr, Indian crested porcupine, and Gordon’s wildcat.
Conservation Under Pressure
The rediscovery has drawn attention to the urgent need for enhanced conservation frameworks in the UAE.
“Today, the Arabian caracal is classified as Critically Endangered on the UAE National Red List, with likely fewer than 250 mature individuals surviving in the wild. This underlines the importance of protected areas like Wadi Wurayah in sustaining populations of rare species,” their press release explained.
This statement from EmiratesNature-WWF underscores the importance of continued investment in protected habitats. The organization’s collaborative projects with local and federal authorities have been vital in tracking wildlife populations and restoring critical ecosystems.
Beyond its symbolic importance, this rediscovery also sheds light on the effectiveness of modern monitoring tools, such as AI-assisted image recognition and remote sensors. These technologies are reshaping conservation across the Middle East, where climate change and urbanization have placed immense pressure on biodiversity.
Experts are now calling for stricter limits on human activity near wildlife corridors, emphasizing that even minimal disturbance could push the species back into obscurity. The goal, they say, is not just to celebrate a rediscovery — but to ensure it leads to long-term survival.
A Fragile Hope For The Future
The Arabian caracal’s reappearance in Wadi Wurayah is more than a scientific curiosity — it’s a symbol of resilience. It demonstrates that with patience, protection, and technological innovation, even species on the brink of extinction can find refuge. Conservationists see this as a call to action for the entire region to strengthen its environmental safeguards and integrate sustainable development with wildlife preservation.
As the trail cameras continue to record, scientists are hopeful that more individuals might soon appear. For now, the image of one caracal prowling through the moonlit valleys of Fujairah serves as a powerful reminder of nature’s quiet persistence — and of how much remains unseen, waiting to be rediscovered.