Jaipur, March 18 -- The Rajasthan forest department has launched an in-depth study of the elusive small cat, the caracal, using radio collaring to better understand its behaviour and address rising human-wildlife conflict in border regions of the state. Chief conservator of forests (Jodhpur) Anoop KR said that unlike social predators such as lions that live and hunt in groups, the caracal is believed to be largely solitary, rarely interacting with others of its kind. "They move quietly within bushes and are extremely difficult to spot without the help of radio collars," he said, adding that tracking their natural behaviour in the wild remains a significant challenge. The study has gained urgency after a radio-collared caracal was found killing multiple sheep and even a chinkara, surprising officials who had earlier believed the species primarily preyed on smaller animals such as hares, bush birds and rodents. "This shows they are capable of hunting larger animals as well," he said. Incidents of livestock predation have triggered tensions in villages along the border, with reports of retaliatory killings. In response, the forest department has begun an awareness campaign, urging locals not to harm the animal. "We are asking villagers to inform us instead. We will capture and radio-collar the animal and also provide incentives," Anoop said, adding that each livestock loss is being assessed for financial compensation. Preliminary estimates suggest that at least 30-40 caracals inhabit the Shahgarh-Gotharau-Kishangarh belt, a sensitive zone beyond Longewala under the control of the Border Security Force. Restricted access to the area has made field studies more complex, requiring prior permissions, he added. To deepen understanding, the department is relying on camera trap data to analyse denning areas, feeding patterns and social behaviour of the species. Hair samples collected from scats are helping identify prey species, while radio collaring is providing data on movement and home range. Cameras are also being installed along movement paths to study activity patterns. The focus on conservation comes amid a recent incident in Jaisalmer that has sparked concern. A rare caracal was allegedly killed and partially burnt in the Shahgarh region near the India-Pakistan border after a video of the incident went viral earlier this week. Acting on the footage, forest officials launched a search operation and arrested three accused, all residents of Shahgarh. A tractor used in the incident has also been seized. Samples from the carcass have been sent to the Wildlife Institute of India for examination following post-mortem. During interrogation, the accused claimed a wild animal had killed their livestock and that they chased it based on footprints. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Considered endangered in India, the caracal survives only in limited pockets of the Thar desert and parts of Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai Madhopur and Bundi in Rajasthan, as well as the Kutch region of Gujarat. Locally known as siyagosh, the elusive feline is rarely seen due to its nocturnal and shy nature. Wildlife experts say the Shahgarh landscape offers suitable habitat and that if current monitoring efforts succeed, similar conservation projects could be expanded to other regions. Often referred to as the "desert's small cheetah" for its agility, the caracal is recognisable by its long black-tufted ears and sandy coat. Adapted to arid conditions, it can leap nearly three metres into the air to catch birds mid-flight, making it one of the least understood predators of India's desert ecosystem....