First photographic evidence of the Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1831) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India

Authors

  • Alok Kumar Naik Dhenkanal Forest Division, Dhenkanal, Odisha 759001, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0082-6342
  • Sumit Kumar Kar Dhenkanal Forest Division, Dhenkanal, Odisha 759001, India.
  • Shyama Bharati Dhenkanal Forest Division, Dhenkanal, Odisha 759001, India.
  • Ashit Chakraborty Dhenkanal Forest Division, Dhenkanal, Odisha 759001, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7103-4463
  • Ashis Kumar Das IGNOU Regional Study Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751013, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0605-8564

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10132.18.2.28444-28446

Keywords:

Dhenkanal Forest Division, Diospyros sylvatica, dry deciduous forest, Eastern Ghats, Rusty-spotted Cat, survey

Abstract

The Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus, is the smallest cat species in the world and is endemic to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It is classified as a Near Threatened species in the IUCN Red List. For the first time, we describe the presence of a Rusty-spotted cat using photographic evidence in Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India, where its presence was previously unknown. The documenting of this iconic feline provides an extra record that will aid in the subsequent evaluation of its status and distributional range, as well as consequences for conservation.

Author Biographies

Alok Kumar Naik, Dhenkanal Forest Division, Dhenkanal, Odisha 759001, India.

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Sumit Kumar Kar, Dhenkanal Forest Division, Dhenkanal, Odisha 759001, India.

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Shyama Bharati, Dhenkanal Forest Division, Dhenkanal, Odisha 759001, India.

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Ashit Chakraborty, Dhenkanal Forest Division, Dhenkanal, Odisha 759001, India.

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Ashis Kumar Das, IGNOU Regional Study Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751013, India.

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References

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Palei, N.C., H.S. Palei, B.P. Rath & A.K. Mishra (2017). Fodder plants of Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica) in Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India. E-planet 15(2): 155–160.

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Published

26-02-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Notes

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Copyright (c) 2026 Alok Kumar Naik, Sumit Kumar Kar, Shyama Bharati, Ashit Chakraborty, Ashis Kumar Das

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