First Photographic Evidence of Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul) from Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

While the study of carnivore ecology has made significant progress, our knowledge of small cats remains limited. For some species, even their distribution remains unknown. We report the first photographic evidence of the Pallas’s cat in Himachal Pradesh, India. Of the 56 camera traps placed for snow leopard population estimation across Kinnaur region between March-May 2024, we recorded Pallas’s cat in three camera traps. These captures were at an elevation of 3900–4100 meters in rocky habitats largely dominated by boulders and cliffs. Sympatric carnivores captured were snow leopard (Panthera uncia), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), stone marten (Martes foina) and free-ranging dogs. This discovery contributes to the range extension of Pallas’s cat distribution. We emphasize the need for more dedicated and concerted research to better understand the population status of Pallas’s cat in the region, and study the threats faced by the species, especially given the presence of free-ranging dogs.