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The Erie Zoo has lost another cat Zoo officials announced April 16 via Facebook that Onkwani was humanely euthanized after it was discovered he had a heart-based mass that was likely causing fluid buildup around his heart Erie Zoo CEO Melissa "Roo" Kojancie said Onkwani was euthanized April 9 "We are heartbroken over the loss of Onkwani," stated the Erie Zoo Facebook post about his death "He was a special ambassador for his species and a favorite among our staff and visitors." had been at the Erie Zoo in the Main Building since arriving from the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark in July of 2014 He was a favorite among his caretakers for his spirited personality and charismatic presence He fathered two kittens in 2016 with the zoo's female caracal, Sienna, who came to Erie from Russia. Kojancie said the pairing of Onkwani and Sienna, who is still at the Erie Zoo, was recommended through an Association of Zoos & Aquariums caracal managed breeding program and their kittens will help bring global caracal genetics into the North American population Their male kitten went to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas and the female went to the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee According to the zoo's website caracals' native habitat is the woodland and savannah regions of Africa and Asia The cats with distinctive tufts on their ears are 16 to 20 inches tall have a tail that is 7 to 13 inches long and weigh 35 to 40 pounds Their conservation status is "least concern" and their lifespan is around 12 to 17 years Erie Zoo's financial future: Erie Zoo is 'a community treasure,' ready to grow, CEO says Onkwani began exhibiting symptoms that included a cough and a distended abdomen Eva Sikorska of Pittsburgh Veterinary Cardiology who diagnosed him with pericardial effusion That buildup of fluid around the heart was drained and testing was conducted to rule out infectious causes Onkwani responded well initially and appeared stable for nearly a month the cat's symptoms returned and a chest CT scan and echocardiogram were performed at Blue Pearl Animal Hospital in Pittsburgh at which time the heart-based mass was discovered "Given the impact on his quality of life and the progressive nature of his condition the difficult decision was made by our animal management team to humanely euthanize Onkwani," zoo officials said on Facebook A necropsy was performed and officials are awaiting final confirmation on whether the mass was cancerous Kojancie said Erie Zoo officials are in contact with the AZA and breeding program but it's still too early to make any decisions about bringing another male caracal to Erie Several of the zoo's other cats have died in recent years All were considered "big cats" while a caracal is considered medium-sized Caax, a 20-year-old jaguar, was euthanized in August after a sudden decline in health The GoErie app: Getting Erie news updates on your phone has never been easier In November of 2023, the zoo announced that 16-year-old Tikva, one of the zoo's two female Amur tigers, was euthanized after experiencing several health issues In September of 2022, Nala, a 24-year-old African lion, and Victor, a 17-year-old Amur tiger, died within six days of one another Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com Airbus announced the delivery of the first two H225M Caracal multi-role transport helicopters to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence This delivery initiates the implementation of a contract for twelve helicopters signed in September 2024 the H225M Caracal will be used for a broad range of missions including personnel and equipment transport as well as support for special operations forces The aircraft will enable the gradual replacement of older Mi-17 helicopters currently in service — Airbus Helicopters (@AirbusHeli) April 30, 2025 The helicopters delivered to Iraq are equipped with the HForce system which enables the integration and use of externally mounted weaponry Their introduction is expected to strengthen the capabilities of Iraq’s security forces which continue to operate against internal Islamist militant threats The H225M Caracal is produced by Airbus and is in use with an increasing number of countries worldwide with the Netherlands awaiting deliveries for its special forces Iraq has undertaken steady procurement efforts to modernise and expand the capacity of its armed forces Airbus has previously supplied Iraq with 24 H135 multi-role helicopters used for observation Cookie Policy Copyright © 2025 Defence Industry Europe | mady by: geekon.eu We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns The threat actor known as Dark Caracal has been attributed to a campaign that deployed a remote access trojan called Poco RAT in attacks targeting Spanish-speaking targets in Latin America in 2024 The findings come from Russian cybersecurity company Positive Technologies which described the malware as loaded with a "full suite of espionage features." "It could upload files, capture screenshots, execute commands, and manipulate system processes," researchers Denis Kazakov and Sergey Samokhin said in a technical report published last week Poco RAT was previously documented by Cofense in July 2024 detailing the phishing attacks aimed at mining The infection chains are characterized by the use of finance-themed lures that trigger a multi-step process to deploy the malware While the campaign was not attributed to any threat at that time, Positive Technologies said it identified tradecraft overlaps with Dark Caracal, an advanced persistent threat (APT) known for operating malware families like CrossRAT and Bandook In 2021, the cyber mercenary group was tied to a widespread espionage campaign dubbed Bandidos that delivered an updated version of the Bandook malware against Spanish-speaking countries in South America The latest set of attacks continue their focus on Spanish-speaking users leveraging phishing emails with invoice-related themes that bear malicious attachments written in Spanish as a starting point An analysis of Poco RAT artifacts indicates the intrusions are mainly targeting enterprises in Venezuela The attached decoy documents impersonate a wide range of industry verticals in an attempt to lend the scheme a little more believability the files redirect victims to a link that triggers the download of a .rev archive from legitimate file-sharing services or cloud storage platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox "Files with the .rev extension are generated using WinRAR and were originally designed to reconstruct missing or corrupted volumes in multi-part archives," the researchers explained "Threat actors repurpose them as stealthy payload containers helping malware evade security detection." Present within the archive is a Delphi-based dropper that's responsible for launching Poco RAT establishes contact with a remote server and grants attackers full control over compromised hosts The malware gets its name from the use of POCO libraries in its C++ codebase Some of the supported commands by Poco RAT are listed below - "Poco RAT does not come with a built-in persistence mechanism," the researchers said the server likely issues a command to establish persistence or attackers may use Poco RAT as a stepping stone to deploy the primary payload." and SOC security to respond quicker and stop breaches early AI agents boost business—but create risks and strategies from industry leaders – all for free Hutchinson’s new Caracal ALL ROAD tire features a hybrid construction that Hutchinson says is effective on both paved and unpaved surfaces – ideal for those gravel-curious roadies who want to move quickly on the tarmac but who also want the freedom to play off-road when the opportunity arises For those living in more urban locations where some considerable road miles must be covered to get to the gravel and back home again the Caracal ALL ROAD could eliminate some pre-ride tire or wheel changes It also could reduce consternation about which tire is suited to a given route that involves a balanced mix of road and gravel The Caracal ALL ROAD utilizes the same Swifteasy casing construction as the Caracal Race which is used in competition by Hutchinson’s sponsored gravel racers This 127 TPI casing offers excellent flexibility and reliability under a wide variety of conditions on both pavement and gravel Although sharing the same base of construction as the Caracal Race the Caracal ALL ROAD features additional polyamide reinforcement under the tread This provides increased puncture protection making the Caracal ALL ROAD more rugged and adaptable With a similar profile to its Caracal siblings the ALL ROAD features a smooth central tread pattern for reduced rolling resistance on the road closely mimicking the feel of a wide-section slick road tire The Caracal ALL ROAD features Mach Tread 3.0 rubber originally developed for Hutchinson’s latest generation of super fast road tyres which allows the Caracal ALL ROAD to fully exploit its grippy road potential while providing the necessary assurance to venture onto more demanding surfaces pronounced side knobs aid off-road cornering traction and boost control on loose surfaces a size the will clear any gravel bike and even a handful of road bikes the Caracal ALL ROAD promises reduced fatigue and enhanced traction on rough terrain and smooth tarmac this new Caracal model is available in black or tan sidewall options and loves to explore the backroads and mountain passes of the Pacific Northwest on skinny tires Working in various roles across the bike industry since 2008 has given Bennett a broad and deep understanding of cycling gear and tech Bennett still holds onto an irrational love of rim brakes He’s lost count of how many bikes he’s owned but continues to swear up and down that his next bike will be his last Everesting three times and racking up 1M feet of vertical in 2020 but still shaves his legs and rips down fast and twisty descents especially if there’s craft beer near the bottom Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed but as far as I know there’s still no US distributor for Hutchinson tires these tires would be huge if they were available at local shops You used to be able to get Hutchinsons through both QBP and BTI Which is a shame because the Overide is my favorite mixed pavement/dirt tire but don’t want to deal with solvents Simpyfast claims their Lube Cube is the easiest way Peak Performance expands on their MTB specific clothing with new pants Apparently that’s an option when you’re designing products for the GOAT We spotted Cofidis racing an all-new prototype wireless 13-speed Campagnolo Super Record 13 WRL SC road groupset Canyon Bicycles is now selling select models directly through Amazon.com Want wireless shifting but don’t want to have to buy a whole new drivetrain Be protected from the sun with the new UV Hooded Trail Shirt… OrNot The new Van Nicholas Astraeus is a beautiful titanium road bike that’s limited to just 50 frames CAPE TOWN — The sharp pop of an air gun echoes through the forested flanks of Constantia as volunteers herd a raiding troop of baboons away from the affluent Cape Town suburb that blossomed in their historic stomping grounds. The Cape baboons (Papio ursinus) play an important ecological role but with easy access to calorie-rich human food and no natural predators left It now clashes regularly with the city’s frustrated human residents a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cape Town, but South Africa’s second most populous city is also part of the Cape Floral Kingdom As the impacts of centuries of human-induced change ricochet through the system But Leighton, an expert in urban ecology and carnivore conservation, also describes the Cape Peninsula — a rugged, nearly 500-square-kilometer (190-square-mile) area of exceptional biodiversity that encompasses the city and suburbs — as a natural laboratory. Recently, she published the first record of wildcats regularly hunting marine prey A group of local caracals (Caracal caracal) medium-sized wildcats distinguished by their sharply pointed including endangered Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis) and African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) The highly opportunistic hunter’s dietary shift is likely the result of large-scale human-induced changes that have led to more caracal-seabird encounters over time The complex cascade of changes started a long time ago escalating with the arrival of European settlers leopards (Panthera pardus) and caracals were widespread shot his first hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius) 12 days after arriving at the cape in 1652 tolling the death knell for the great nomadic herds of wildlife here the hippos were exterminated from the Cape Peninsula and the blue antelope (Hippotragus leucophaeus) The settlers also chopped down local trees for construction and other domestic needs and planted imported species for fruit “It’s a fascinating place,” says Deborah Winterton the regional science liaison officer for South African National Parks (SANParks) the management authority of the city’s iconic Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) she points out that it’s also a broken system Urban sprawl has turned the Cape Peninsula into an ecological island surrounded by city and sea; the peninsula today is a fragmented landscape managed by multiple independent authorities and property owners a species’ survival depends partly on dietary flexibility The caracal emerged as king in this regard The cat became the region’s de facto top predator after lions and leopards disappeared Leighton says the highly generalist species shifts its diet according to its surroundings; researchers have recorded more than 70 species that make up the caracal’s diet Birds and rodents are the most common prey Caracals are attracted to areas where the hunting is likely better Stable isotope analysis of caracals’ fur indicates that about 25 cats are now regular coastal foragers They hunt on the beach and rocky shores and in seabird colonies along cliffs routinely comprise about a third of their diet Though they probably spent time on the mainland African penguins only recently settled to breed in the southern peninsula A pair arrived in the 1980s at Boulders Beach “We don’t really know why the penguins came to Boulders,” says Christina Hagen a penguin conservation biologist at BirdLife South Africa African penguins are endemic to small islands off the coasts of South Africa and Namibia and it’s possible the Boulders pair made the move to the mainland because of a shortage of food around their birth colony or else they were pushed out due to overcrowding because cormorants and other seabirds were roosting in the area Others have postulated that the number of mainland seabird colonies along the coast has increased as people destroyed offshore seabird colonies’ habitats protection of the coast around Cape Town has improved the contraction of habitat also pushes the birds into the territory of native terrestrial predators there’s a hidden cost to these high-nutrient prey Seabirds that feed far offshore are exposed to marine pollutants Leighton says the caracals that feed on seabirds are more exposed to persistent organic pollutants and metal contaminants “Most caracals are exposed to various pollutants and we are unsure how these all interact to exert physiological costs on the animals,” she says While it’s hard to study the impact of pollutants in wild populations studies of captive animals have shown the effects can be very detrimental “Our work suggests that there are physiological costs which suggests that this exposure may impact their biological fitness and eventually have population-level impacts,” Leighton says This adds to the gauntlet of threats caracals already have to navigate in an urban environment and caught in wire snares set for game animals Leighton says the Cape Peninsula’s caracal population has lower genetic diversity due to its isolation from other cats Inbreeding and low genetic diversity can further affect their health and might lower their resistance to the negative effects of diseases and pollutants Regardless, when two caracals killed nearly 130 penguins over two months at Boulders Beach in 2016, officials stepped in and relocated the cats, even though local caracal conservationists staunchly oppose relocation While the peninsula colonies of African penguins and Cape cormorants are a relatively small percentage of the global population Both are categorized as endangered on the IUCN Red List the discovery that caracals have a habit of eating seabirds is cause not for concern but for celebration they should be seen to highlight the abundance of ecology that can still be conserved in urban areas Banner image: African penguins are now an Endangered species and listed as in need of urgent conservation action Showers, K. B. (2010). Prehistory of Southern African forestry: From vegetable garden to tree plantation. Environment and History, 16(3), 295-322. doi 10.3197/096734010X51977 Boshoff, A., & Kerley, L. (2001). Potential distributions of the medium- to large-sized mammals in the cape floristic region, based on historical accounts and habitat requirements. African Zoology, 36(2), 245-273. doi:10.1080/15627020.2001.11657142 Winterton, D. J., van Wilgen, N. J., & Venter, J. A. (2020). Investigating the effects of management practice on mammalian co-occurrence along the West Coast of South Africa. PeerJ, 8, e8184. doi:10.7717/peerj.8184 Leighton, G. R. M., Froneman, P. W., Serieys, L. E. K., & Bishop, J. M. (2024). Sustained use of marine subsidies promotes niche expansion in a wild felid. Science of The Total Environment, 914, 169912. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.169912 The “fortress conservation” model is under pressure in East Africa as protected areas become battlegrounds over history and global efforts to halt biodiversity loss Mongabay’s Special Issue goes beyond the region’s world-renowned safaris to examine how rural communities and governments are reckoning with conservation’s colonial origins and trying to forge a path forward […] a surprising sight was captured in the heart of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota A rare and elusive member of the cat family — the caracal — was recorded by a camera trap for the first time in the region Rajasthan’s Forest Minister, Sanjay Sharma, shared a photograph of the caracal on social media and said the Rajasthan Forest Department is excited to share the first photographic record of the caracal in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve The winter Phase IV survey of the tiger reserve recorded this camera trap image of the caracal The strong protection regime of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve serves as an umbrella to protect elusive small cats like the caracal.” The rare sighting has renewed interest in the conservation of the caracal “All tiger reserves conduct three-spot surveys second is a transect line survey and the third is camera trapping This winter was the first time that a Phase IV survey was carried out in the season and this caracal was recorded,” said Muthu Somasundaram Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) of Mukundra National Park Somasundaram notes that the caracal might be dispersing from its nearest known range, which includes Ranthambore “The species typically has a large home range so it’s possible this individual moved in from Bundi or Kota the camera trap image also includes a hare,” he added The forest department now plans to increase the number of camera traps in the location the caracal was spotted and in the surrounding areas to better understand its presence and range All the images we’ve captured so far have been during night time The goal is to maximise the chances of capturing more images and learning about its movements,” Somasundaram told Mongabay India The caracal has a deep-rooted historical presence in India. In 1616, Mughal emperor Jahangir reportedly hunted one near Ajmer caracals were praised by royals for their agility and used in hunts known by their Persian name siyah gosh (black-eared one) The species’ range has shrunk drastically from 794,000 square kilometres pre-1947 to just 16,709 square kilometres in 2020 — a 95.95% decline Globally listed as least concern by the IUCN the caracal is considered near threatened in India and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act This makes the first-ever camera-trap capture in Mukundra Tiger Reserve recorded 176 caracal images from 23 sites in Rajasthan between 2015 and 2020 Muthu Somasundaram pointed out that the semi-arid ecosystems of central Rajasthan and Gujarat suit the caracal’s habitat needs “Regular camera trapping in protected areas like tiger reserves boosts the chances of detecting elusive species like the caracal which might otherwise go unnoticed,” he said Additional Director General of Forests (Project Tiger) and Member Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) “The caracal’s landscape lies in the Chambal region I personally saw them two to three times in Ranthambore many years ago Now that we have photographic records from Mukundra and Ramgarh Vishdhari there is a need for a comprehensive study on the species to better understand its population the caracal’s presence is an indicator of a balanced and healthy ecosystem These cats help regulate the populations of rodents and other small mammals playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological stability I believe caracals may still exist there,” he said However, some suggest that potential habitats outside these protected areas should also be studied for their presence. Wildlife biologist Sumit Dookia pointed out that a 1999 record of Jalore district published by the Bombay Natural History Society hints at the caracal’s presence beyond reserves — indicating a need to revisit historical data to assess its wider distribution Dookia said that while there’s no scientific evidence of caracals in western Rajasthan outside reserves, locals occasionally report sightings. A recent video from Pakistan’s Cholistan Desert — ecologically similar to western Rajasthan or Thar desert — suggests suitable habitat exists “I believe the Mukundra sighting hints at a possibly wider presence and immediate government-led conservation efforts is important for the species,” Dookia added In 2021, the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) included the caracal in a plan to conserve 22 priority species Dharmendra Khandal stressed the need for thorough scientific studies before taking action Khandal suggests focussing on more studies to understand where caracals live “Solid baseline data is essential for crafting effective conservation strategies suited to India’s semi-arid regions,” Khandal said Joy Gardner of the Jaipur-based NGO Hope and Beyond cautioned against calling the recent Mukundra caracal recording as a breakthrough noting that it was a chance capture from tiger-focused camera traps “No targeted efforts have been made to study caracals We need focused surveys in deeper forest zones where more individuals might be found,” he said biosocial conservation researcher from Leiden University warning that caracals are struggling in degraded scrublands and need urgent in-depth studies to assess their status in modern India Read more: As caracals inch towards extinction, path to conserving the wild cat remains unclear Banner image: A camera trap image of the elusive caracal recorded for the first time in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve Image by the Deputy Conservator of Forests If the Green Revolution rode on the strength of chemicals derived mainly from fossil fuels now there is a shift in the thinking on how agriculture is being done in India with a thrust on growing indigenous crop varieties and following natural farming practices After almost a week of roaming through the suburbs of Chicago wild cat native to parts of Africa and Asia has been captured Authorities cornered the caracal – a protected endangered species of cat noted for the distinctive tufts a fur atop its long ears – under the deck of a home on Hoffman Estates the caracal was picked up by the Valley of the Kings animal sanctuary in Wisconsin which specializes in rehabilitating large cats The caracal was first spotted on Friday near a local golf course and in suburban yards "The moment I saw it, I thought to myself, I have no idea what that is. It's not normal," Jan Hoffman-Rau, under whose home the caracal was captured, told ABC news in Chicago exactly the caracal came from remains a mystery With their reddish, tan fur and distinctive, elongated ears, caracals range from Africa to the Arabian peninsula to parts of northwest India although no further actions have been taken In 2021, a Michigan woman who owned four caracals was ordered to give up ownership of the cats after they escaped from a backyard enclosure In 2019, in Bloomington, Illinois, the Associated Press reported that a caracal was killed after attacking a dog Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com Hutchinson has revealed the Caracal All Road a revised version of its gravel race tyre designed specifically for all-road bikes The Caracal All Road takes the template of Hutchinson’s existing Caracal Race gravel tyre with Hutchinson’s 127 TPI SwiftEasy casing and a semi-slick tread and adds a puncture protection strip underneath the tread The size of the tyre is reduced to 700x35c (down from 700x40c), to fit a wider range of road and all-road bikes Given most gravel bike tyres have got consistently wider in recent years it might seem an odd step for Hutchinson to add a smaller size to the Caracal line-up Hutchinson says the Caracal All Road is aimed at “gravel-curious roadies” rather than experienced gravel cyclists – riders who “want the freedom to play off-road when the trail calls” but don’t want to sacrifice performance on the road meaning riders no longer have to choose between road and gravel” Hutchinson says it made the decision to add a puncture protection belt in order to bolster the tyre’s durability The Caracal Race, after all, is one of the fastest gravel bike tyres available (according to independent testing by bicyclerollingresistance.com) it achieves its speed by giving up some reliability with a reduced casing thickness and the lack of a dedicated puncture protection strip beneath the tread The rubber compound used in the tread remains Hutchinson’s premium Mach Tread 3.0, which was originally developed for Hutchinson’s fastest road bike tyres, such as the Blackbird Racing Lab TLR Available with black or tan sidewalls and manufactured in France the Caracal All Road costs £49.99 / €54.99 Hutchinson has also announced it is releasing 45c versions of its Caracal Race and Caracal gravel tyres Previously, both of these tyres were only available in a single, 700x40c size. With wider tyres all the rage in gravel racing Hutchinson appears to be responding to that demand Hutchinson says the 700x45c Caracal tyre is on sale now with the 45c Caracal Race available from “June 2025 onwards” Pricing for both models is the same as the 40c versions at £54.99 / €59.99 per tyre for the Caracal Race and £49.99 / €54.99 for the Caracal WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com Erie Zoo announces passing of caracal cat Onkwani Your Money: How to avoid unwanted surprises at tax time Former NASCAR Kyle Petty’s Charity Ride caravan stops in Erie police continue efforts on pedestrian safety Southern portion of Route 6 bridge removed Lake Canadohta Historical Society finds new City of Erie police see uptick in fake ID usage Real ID requirements to begin this week: Here's how you can still get yours Check out these tips for when buying tickets to a show or event Two teams go head-to-head in an effort to raise the most money for Alzheimer's Association Mercyhurst University students take a bow at mini play festival Local priest provides insight as papal conclave quickly approaches Social media boosted conservation of a wild cat in Africa Using a wild cat as a case study, researchers have shown that Facebook and Instagram can help conservation efforts. The Urban Caracal Project, established in 2014, uses social media to educate about the caracal (Caracal caracal), a wild cat native to Africa. In a study published in Environmental Communication researchers used Google Trends to determine how popular caracals became in the world before and after the project was created The team also used Facebook and Instagram data to analyze the material the project posted online and to look at all public engagement on caracals The team found that searches on the species doubled after the project launched The team also found that the project now has more than 16,800 Facebook followers and more than 7,300 Instagram followers WhatsApp and social media helped point the authors to caracal deaths that helped them assess the populations “This paper contributes to our understanding of the various ways in which the public can participate in science,” said study authors Gabriella Leighton and Laurel Serieys from the University of Cape Town in a press release “It shows how charismatic species can contribute to conservation and public awareness of biodiversity in urban areas The research demonstrates how a public interest in urban ecology and the global phenomenon of ‘cats on the internet’… can be harnessed to leverage conservation action.”  Read the study in Environmental Communication.  elephants and reintroduced black rhinos eat the same plants in the same places Bird observation can help researchers learn about wild bees that use similar habitat features Sign up to stay up-to-date on wildlife science An endangered wild cat spotted wandering through Hoffman Estates in recent days was captured by police Tuesday morning and soon will be on its way to an animal sanctuary in Wisconsin a medium-sized cat native to parts of Africa and Asia was caught by police officers responding to a reported sighting at about 7:24 a.m officers arrived in the area and saw the cat near the deck of a home The caracal attempted to hide under the deck but officers were able to safely and humanely remove the cat and take it into custody The home is in the same area of Della Drive and Huntington Boulevard where multiple sightings were reported over the weekend Police said they searched the area after those reports but did not locate the caracal Representatives of the Valley of the Kings Sanctuary and Retreat were on their way to the village Tuesday to take custody of the cat and bring it to its facility in Sharon where police said it will live a “happy life far away from Hoffman Estates.” According to the Valley of Kings website the nonprofit organization in rural southern Wisconsin has 10 acres of farmland where it keeps lions Police said they are continuing to investigate to determine the cat’s owner and how it came to be in Hoffman Estates Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Hoffman Estates Police Department at (847) 781-2800 According to the San Diego Zoo caracals measure between 24 and 42 inches long stand about 18 inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh between 13 and 44 pounds Hoffman Estates police are warning community members to be on the lookout for a caracal — a medium-sized wildcat native to parts of Asia Africa and the Middle East — that’s been spotted wandering around a neighborhood and golf course in the village It is not yet known where the cat came from or how it got loose in Hoffman Estates, police said in a Facebook post Sightings have been reported in the area of Della Drive and the Hilldale Golf Course and between Interstate 90 and Higgins Road Police said village officials are working with local and federal agencies for proper removal of the cat Residents should not try to feed the animal and be cautious if they meet the animal Anyone who knows its whereabouts or its owner should call 911 either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Residents of Chicago's northwest suburbs have been advised to stay alert after an exotic wild cat was spotted in Hoffman Estates It was first seen last week in a subdivision near Foltz Drive and most recently the animal was observed near Della Drive and Hilldale Golf Course raising concerns from local police and animal rights groups The Hoffman Estates Police Department issued a community alert on Monday stressing that the origin of the animal is unknown "Over the past few days, the village was made aware of a large cat in the area of Della Dr. and the Hilldale Golf Course," the police said in a post on Facebook "The cat has been identified as a caracal; this cat is a native species to Asia and not common to the United States." Newsweek contacted the Hoffman Estates Police Department via email for an update on the situation The police are currently unsure as to where the animal came from "A caracal is an internationally protected endangered species The village is currently working with local and federal agencies for proper removal." Although owning caracals is not currently illegal in Illinois pending legislation—House Bill 4446—could soon change that Police are currently advising locals not to attempt to feed the cat if they come across it and to instead call 911 with information on its whereabouts In a news segment on Fox 32 told reporters the animal may have been a pet purchased on the black market "They likely are stuck inside a home or inside a cage They cannot do anything that comes natural to them," she said Who knows how this animal is out running free But the animal needs to be saved and allowed to go to a sanctuary." The police department stated that its goal is safely relocate the animal to a zoo or wildlife facility where it can be cared for properly Caracals are medium-sized cats with slender bodies long legs and tawny-brown to reddish tan colored fur Their faces are marked with dark lines and white spots around the eyes Caracals can weigh anything from 17 to 40 pounds and can reach up to a meter in length reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour at full pelt Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering Do you have a question about wildlife sightings Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair Hold us accountable and submit your rating of this article on the meter. Newsletters in your inbox See all (WICS) — A wild cat was on the loose in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago A Caracal was locatedunder a resident's deck in Hoffman Estates According to the Hoffman Estates Police Department The Caracal will be relocated to the Valley of the Kings Sanctuary and Retreat located in Sharon Wisconsin This cat is a native species to Asia and not common to the United States It's thought that 64 percent of people let their pets sleep in the same bed as them but for the most part that's ordinary cats and dogs A small chihuahua or tabby cat pales in comparison to this woman who sleeps with her pet wild cat by her side A video was shared on Instagram (@bigfloppa.gosha) showing owner Elena and he found his forever home with Elena and her husband Andrey Gosha is kept inside like any ordinary house cat Andrey even told Newsweek that the cat sleeps "in the bed with us at night." But the caracal never truly switches off as he always remains "really protective" of Elena while she sleeps and is constantly on the lookout for potential dangers More From Newsweek Vault: Compare Affordable Pet Insurance Plans The video of Gosha laying beside Elena in the bed has shocked the internet generating over 12.1 million views and more than 244,000 likes on Instagram at the time of writing "Gosha treats strangers without aggression but with caution," Andrey said then he recognizes this person even after a long time and allows himself to be petted by them." But Gosha is not the couple's only pet in their home in Moscow, Russia, as they also have a Maine Coon cat named Justin. There may be a huge disparity in size between them More From Newsweek Vault: Best Pet Insurance for Cats "Gosha and Justin sleep both sleep in the bed with us During the day they usually sleep in different places around the home but they're still next to each other," Andrey continued Male caracals can weigh up to 40 pounds and stand up to 20 inches tall at the shoulder Their body length is usually somewhere between 35-39 inches long according to the organization Big Cat Rescue preferring dry habitats over tropical rainforests More From Newsweek Vault: The Top Rewards Credit Cards for Pet Owners but they wouldn't be afraid of hunting prey that's larger than themselves the Big Cat Rescue highlights that their agility enables them to leap into the air and take down 10-12 birds all in one go While they're majestic animals to be around which focuses on the conservation of wildlife and regeneration of tourism says the idea that caracals make good pets is a "misconception." They might look sweet and even docile at times and should be treated with respect and caution Domingo told Newsweek: "They remain unpredictable and need specialized care that captivity cannot provide whose natural behaviors and social structures are essential for their survival in the wild "Captivity is not a valid way to save endangered species True conservation means protecting natural habitats where these animals can thrive We need to prioritize preserving wild spaces over confining animals for personal joy or status if we want to stop the alarming decline of biodiversity." Andrey regularly posts clips of Gosha on Instagram to give social media users a glimpse into their daily lives with a wild cat While many people are left in awe by Gosha he adds that a lot of the negativity they face is actually about his weight rather than their decision to keep him as a pet and this leads to a lot of negative comments online," Andrey said "People don't understand that this is a difficult problem to solve "If you don't count the excess weight he carries then the overwhelming majority of comments online are of admiration." After going viral online, the video of Gosha laying in the bed with his owner has generated over 1,000 comments on Instagram so far One comment reads: "Never EVER interrupt nap time." as one commenter added: "That's a wild animal for goodness sakes." Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site Gabriella Leighton receives funding from Rhodes University and the University of Cape Town Laurel Serieys received funding from The Claude Leon Foundation and the University of Cape Town University of Cape Town provides funding as a partner of The Conversation AFRICA View all partners Have you recently opened YouTube or TikTok and immediately gone looking for cat videos then you’re not alone: the global consumption of cat-related media online is simply massive there were over 2 million cat videos on YouTube alone with an average of 12,000 views each – a higher average than any other category of YouTube content “Cats” is also one of the most searched keywords on the internet. As of 2023, there were 502 billion views of TikToks with the hashtag #cat domestic cats are the darlings of the digital world But how can this popularity be leveraged to help conserve their wild cousins Many small wild cat species – like caracals – face threats from widespread habitat loss but they are highly cryptic and therefore understudied Scientists have recognised the potential of widespread internet usage and harnessed it in a range of ways Engaging the public in scientific endeavours fosters increased connections between science and society little is known about how these projects contribute to conservation goals or environmental awareness outcomes and how this links to how their findings are communicated We set out to help fill this knowledge gap in a recent paper about caracals in Cape Town The caracal is a highly adaptable medium-sized wild cat with long tufted ears and a reputation for eating sheep in rural areas across southern Africa We found that social media is an effective way to raise conservation awareness about wildlife living on the urban edges We hypothesise that posts to our social media pages are popular because caracals are beautiful charismatic cats that look very similar to their domestic relatives The internet is already primed to receive cat content and the project our research is based on has delivered caracals have adapted to living along the edges of urban areas They hunt small rodents and birds that are common in these well-watered There are about 60 individuals in the broader Cape Peninsula’s population However they, like many other wild cat species, face a number of threats. These include habitat loss, exposure to common rat poisons and being hit by vehicles So, in 2014, one of us (Dr Laurel Serieys) created the Urban Caracal Project as a postdoctoral project The project, hosted by the Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild) at the University of Cape Town was initiated to understand the animals’ urban ecology What started off as a website, Facebook page and simple updates about the project has grown into a substantial social media following helping researchers to collect data and samples; they’ve also raised funds and shared our research The project now has more than 16,900 Facebook followers and more than 7,500 on Instagram These figures represent what the platforms classify as “micro-influencer” status (an account that has 10k–100k followers) Most are from people in South Africa but there are also followers in the UK As we outline in our paper these social media platforms have given the public an opportunity to make important contributions to the project’s core research aims They have helped report sightings of well-camouflaged and elusive caracals all over Cape Town Some have reported deaths we may not otherwise have known about allowing our team to conduct postmortems that offer insights into threats to the population Others have collected prey samples that allow us to characterise the caracals’ diet patterns through stable isotope analysis A “caracal network” of eyes and ears has linked scientists conservation agencies and animal welfare organisations to conserve the species in an isolated area where they are rapidly losing habitat and face threats from all sides The posts we write have contributed to the awareness of caracals and urban ecology globally. For instance, we found that the search interest of the term “caracal” has almost doubled since the project was founded, with a 91% increase in interest on Google Trends. This is compared to a similar wildcat, the serval for which search interest rose by 76% in the same period We also analysed the language used in sightings reports and in comments on our Facebook posts to assess people’s sentiments about Cape Town’s caracals – and found these were remarkably positive The species is persecuted elsewhere in the country as “vermin” or a “pest” animal Some of the most common words used to describe caracals were “beautiful” which was mostly used on posts announcing caracal deaths or threats to the population such as vehicle collisions or exposure to pollutants and disease This reveals strong emotional responses from our followers and suggests increased care for the species Our research shows that the hard work and effort of continuous science communication on research projects through social media channels pays off – it can successfully aid robust research and raise conservation awareness for underrepresented species in rapidly changing landscapes The journal paper in Environmental Communication on which this article is based is due to be part of a special issue titled “Affective Encounters: Storying in South African Ecological Communication” edited by Mehita Iqani and Meghan Judge 2024 at 9:08 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The caracal is an internationally protected endangered species and officials in Hoffman Estates are currently working with local and federal agencies to remove the animal from the village and relocate it to a zoo or wildlife facility (Hoffman Estates Police Department )HOFFMAN ESTATES IL — Police have found and captured a wild cat that has been wandering the suburbs in recent days The caracal was located under a resident's deck in Hoffman Estates and was not harmed Police are not sure where the animal came from and employees with The Valley of the Kings Sanctuary and Retreat in Sharon Police said they "are sure (the caracal) will have a healthy and happy life far away from Hoffman Estates." Authorities first learned the caracal had been wandering the area in recent day The large cat was spotted in the area of Della Drive and the Hilldale Golf Course according to a post on the Hoffman Estates Facebook page not common to the United States and is an internationally protected endangered species Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Caracal USA has introduced the CSR 338 Precision Bolt Action Rifle the rifle is built for long-range accuracy and durability It features a 27-inch 32CrMoV barrel with a 1:10” twist delivering 1/2 MOA accuracy with match-grade factory ammunition The rifle’s chassis is machined from 7075 T-6 aluminum and includes an enlarged trigger guard Its bolt design incorporates three locking lugs and a tool-steel extractor for smooth operation The adjustable folding stock allows for toolless adjustments from the firing position and includes an integrated monopod and bag slider A two-stage trigger system is fully adjustable without disassembly Accessory mounting options include KeyMod slots at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions along with MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rails on the receiver and handguard at the 6 and 12 o’clock positions The rifle also features an ambidextrous magazine release and a reversible safety selector for ergonomic handling The following quote is from the press release:  “The CSR 338 represents the pinnacle of precision engineering,” said Jeffrey Spalding “We designed this rifle to meet the rigorous demands of military and law enforcement professionals while also providing an unparalleled shooting experience for long-range enthusiasts the CSR 338 sets a new standard in precision bolt action rifles.” CSR 338 Bolt Action Precision Rifle Specifications: The Caracal USA CSR 338 Precision Bolt Action Rifle is now available for purchase. For more information visit: www.caracalusa.com Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics More by Eric B Should have also been available in 338 Norma Magnum Which nobody outside of USSOCOM is using so far represents the pinnacle of precision engineering." This wouldn't have been AS out of place 10 years ago but the debate was settled about that long ago You can find her on X @afekki Languages: English A reported attack by a caracal wild cat on Israeli soldiers has gone viral among social media users in the Arab world Israeli authorities captured the animal after it attacked soldiers at a southern military base according to Israeli state broadcaster KAN The incident happened amid rising anti-Israeli sentiment in the Arab world, fueled by Israel's renewed military campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza with the support of the United States Thousands of social media users used the Arabic hashtag "The Egyptian Lynx" on X following media reports that referred to a lynx - another kind of wild cat - and suggesting the animal might have crossed from Egypt Some Egyptian users referenced the symbolism of the lynx in ancient Egyptian mythology where it was associated with the goddess Mafdet who was regarded as a protector against snakes and other dangers 👌"الوشق المصري" كما صوره المصري القديم وهو يقضي على ابوفيس "رمز الفوضى والظلام" 😉- مقبرة ان حر خع #الاقصرme 📸 pic.twitter.com/zX5FTVBx53 Many Arab users on X shared comments about the caracal's role using it as a symbol to voice frustration with both Israel and their own governments for failing to end the war in Gaza Some users jokingly labelled the animal as "antisemitic" or questioned whether it would be condemned Israeli broadcaster KAN aired a video Wednesday showing the capture of the "young female caracal" by the Nature and Parks Authority The caracal was suspected of infiltrating a base near Har Harif KAN added that the caracal was captured after a long night chase תופעה חריגה ונדירה - קרקלית נכנסה לבסיס צבאי בהר חריף לכד אותה והעביר אותה לטיפול בבית החולים לחיות בר של הספארי ורשות הטבע והגנים a wild cat known for its agility and hunting skills Israel resumed its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza on March 18 blaming the group for the failure of ceasefire talks over the release of Israeli hostages Gaza's Health Ministry reported on Saturday 673 deaths since then It does not say how many of those are fighters The move signaled the end of a brief ceasefire that ended the previous 14-months long war in which the Gaza ministry said killed more than 49,000 people The conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023 killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages who identifies himself as a Palestinian surgeon and musician posted: "The cat that attacked Israeli invaders in Gaza recently was widely named 'Egyptian Lynx' here on X It's not commonly aggressive towards humans identifying as an anti-Zionist Israeli-Yemeni researcher posted: "#The_Egyptian_Lynx is more honorable and noble than #The_Egyptian_Army Its courage led it to attack several Israeli soldiers while the Egyptian army has been killing children in front of it for a year and a half without taking any action." Israel's Nature and Parks Authority: "A rare and unusual phenomenon – a caracal entered a military base in Har Harif The caracal is a mysterious and rare animal We still do not have an explanation for why it bit the soldiers; one possibility being that it was habituated to being fed or escaped from illegal captivity and the bites are a result of this habituation." further deepening anti-Israel sentiment in the Arab world Veterinarians transferred the caracal to intensive care in critical condition hoping to release her back into the wild once her condition stabilizes Hold us accountable and submit your rating of this article on the meter. 2024 at 4:06 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The caracal is an internationally protected endangered species and officials in Hoffman Estates worked with local and federal agencies to remove the animal from the village and relocate it to a zoo or wildlife facility the Hoffman Estates Police Department said the animal has been safely captured police said the cat "was hiding under a resident's deck and is unharmed." Police said an animal sanctuary will take custody of the caracal "The Valley of the Kings Sanctuary and Retreat located in Sharon Wisconsin is en route to pick him up where we are sure he will have a healthy and happy life far away from Hoffman Estates." police said the animal was spotted in the area of Della Drive and Hilldale Golf Course in Hoffman Estates The cat is a native species to Asia and not common in the U.S. according to a post on the Hoffman Estates Police Department Facebook page Police were not sure where the animal came from The caracal is an internationally protected endangered species and officials in Hoffman Estates are currently working with local and federal agencies to remove the animal from the village and relocate it to a zoo or wildlife facility where it can receive the proper care it needs "We ask that you do not attempt to feed this animal," police said Monday "...our first priority is the safety of the residents of Hoffman Estates and the community If anyone knows the whereabouts or owner of this animal Pet African Wildcat Dies After Escape, Capture In Vernon Hills Bill Proposes Ban Of African Cats, Other Exotic Pets After Incident African Serval Cat On The Loose In Illinois, Agencies On The Hunt Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The Puma Caracal Marshmallow/Chili Oil is a stylish and contemporary sneaker that brings together modern aesthetics with practical design This sneaker model boasts a versatile color palette featuring the soft contrasted with a vibrant burst of chili oil red This combination not only appeals to those with an eye for fashion but also adds a dynamic edge to any casual outfit the upper part of the shoe typically combines soft leather and resilient textiles its design is inspired by classic Puma silhouettes offering a nod to the brand's rich heritage while incorporating subtle modern twists “Last time we met we discussed about preferred calibres and here we are today in front of the multi calibre sniper rifle This new weapon can be chambered in 6.5 Creedmor and the initial feedback from the customers is very positive,” Hamad Al Ameri tells us As many other small arms companies have already introduced the multi-calibre concept those who come later must introduce elements of innovation and improvement “We looked into what is the feedback from the current multi-calibres on the market and one of the first things that came to evidence was that when they change calibre According to data provided the barrel can be replaced in less than two minutes with a single tool “That’s why we made a very unique design that brings back to the original zero every time you change the calibre.” Other elements taken into consideration were the weight The bolt-action CSRM is available not only in three different calibres but also with different lengths of barrel between 20-inch (508 mm) and 30-inch (762 mm) hence its length is 1,307 mm in the standard .338 LM version seen at the exhibition All barrels feature a suppressor-ready muzzle brake In all three calibres the box-type polymer magazine contains 10 rounds; magazine release as well as safety are ambidextrous and is of course adjustable in length and height with adjustable cheek-piece and integral monopod all adjustment being done without using any tool The trigger is of the two-stage type and is adjustable by the shooter The handguard features a 25 MOA MIL 1913 Picatinny rail at 12 O’clock 6 and 9 o’clock positions; a full-length ARCA rail can be installed on the lower surface Caracal is awaiting the first order for its new multi-calibre rifle from the UAE Armed Forces General Headquarters “I think it will be released after the show We already have the samples available as we did a pre-production batch and we are going to start the production very soon.” All key elements of the CSRM are produced in house the optical sight and the magazines come from third party producers.” A light arm is composed of three main elements “Your readers will be the first to know that the small arms ammunition business that was falling under Lahab has been moved under Caracal International Such a move is of key importance for the whole small arms business but it is even more important when we move into the sniper’s world And Match rounds for snipers will be available soon; “We are designing them as we speak and I am confident they will be available in Q3 2025 We shall be able to take orders by the end of the year,” the CEO says Sniper-specific ammunition will initially be produced in .308 and .338 LM Having the rifle and the ammunition under the same roof proved a plus already at IDEX; “we could notice during the exhibition how customers are much happier to be able to buy both the weapon and the rounds from the same provider,” Hamad Al Ameri stated “Should we move into optics, I believe this could not only support the small arms business, as we could take those technology blocks into the other platforms.” Indo Defence – Jakarta – 11-14 June DSEI – London – 9-12 September PARTNER – Belgrade – 23-26 September Seafuture – La Spezia – 29 Sept.-2 October AUSA – Washington D.C. – 13-15 October ADEX – Seoul – 29 October-2 November Dubai Air Show – Dubai – 17-21 November Milipol Paris – Paris – 18-21 Novenber Expodefensa – Bogotá – 1-3 December Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Share(Adobe Stock) Malicious Spanish-language emails purporting to be invoices have been sent by Dark Caracal to lure targets into opening spoofed decoy documents which enable the download of a .rev archive containing a Delphi-based dropper that deploys Poco RAT according to findings from Positive Technologies Despite having the capability to perform file uploads Poco RAT's lack of an integrated persistence mechanism may have been necessitating a server-based command for persistence Such a development comes months after Poco RAT was reported by Cofense to have been deployed in phishing attacks with finance-themed lures against organizations in the manufacturing May 2 has pleaded guilty to infiltrating Disneys internal communications and stealing over 1.1 terabytes of confidential data by deploying malware disguised as an AI image generation tool a news site by cybersecurity firm Recorded Future reports that Apple has alerted users in 100 countries that their devices were targeted by sophisticated spyware part of a global wave of mercenary surveillance attacks BleepingComputer reports that security researchers have uncovered seven malicious Python Package Index packages leveraging Gmail's SMTP servers and encrypted WebSocket connections to exfiltrate data and execute remote commands on infected systems By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of CyberRisk Alliance Privacy Policy and Terms of Use The German Aid to Ukraine monitoring project announced this on X "Rheinmetall today announced the delivery of a further five Caracal air assault vehicles to Ukraine financed by the German government," the post reads This brings the total number of Caracals delivered to 20 with five more to follow in the near future Germany delivered a security assistance package to the Ukrainian Armed Forces While citing and using any materials on the Internet links to the website ukrinform.net not lower than the first paragraph are mandatory citing the translated materials of foreign media outlets is possible only if there is a link to the website ukrinform.net and the website of a foreign media outlet Materials marked as "Advertisement" or with a disclaimer reading "The material has been posted in accordance with Part 3 of Article 9 of the Law of Ukraine "On Advertising" No 1996 and the Law of Ukraine "On the Media" No 2023 and on the basis of an agreement/invoice Online media entity; Media identifier - R40-01421 CARACAL a UAE-based small arms manufacturer and part of the EDGE Group a subsidiary of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures to open a new small arms manufacturing facility at ICOMM’s Integrated Engineering Facility in Hyderabad The new facility will act as a local hub for producing a range of advanced weaponry made possible through a significant technology transfer agreement with CARACAL This marks a key milestone in strengthening defense ties between the UAE and India The facility will manufacture several models including the CAR 816 close-quarters battle rifle (5.56x45mm) CSR 50 anti-materiel sniper rifle (12.7x99mm) and the CARACAL EF and CARACAL F GEN II pistols (9x19mm) These cutting-edge weapons are intended to meet the needs of the Indian Armed Forces while also supporting CARACAL’s global export demands “This facility is a testament to our strong commitment to India’s defense forces and our support for the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji for Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” said Sumanth Paturu “This marks the first small arms technology transfer from the UAE to India further reinforcing our commitment to Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.” Caracal International LLC is a premier small arms manufacturer based in Abu Dhabi and tests a comprehensive range of firearms Caracal plays a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s defense capabilities The company’s product lineup includes the CAR 816 assault rifle catering to military and law enforcement agencies globally ICOMM Tele Ltd a subsidiary of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) is a prominent Indian company specializing in defense manufacturing and infrastructure solutions ICOMM has developed state-of-the-art facilities spanning over 1 million square feet in Hyderabad The company offers a wide array of products and services communication and electronic warfare systems The story of ‘MAKE IN INDIA’ has reached far and wide. But who are makers of ‘MAKE IN INDIA’? What is their story? ‘Machine Maker’ is a dedicated magazine that seeks to bring the incredible stories... Read more info@themachinemaker.com +91-703-093-2700 Contact Us India's Top Hyderabad, India/Abu Dhabi, UAE – CARACAL, a leading small arms manufacturer from the UAE and an entity within EDGE Group, in collaboration with ICOMM Tele Ltd, a group company of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL), today inaugurated a world-class small arms manufacturing facility at ICOMM’s Integrated Engineering Facility in Hyderabad. This exclusive facility will serve as a local manufacturing hub for a comprehensive portfolio of advanced weapons under a historic Technology Transfer (ToT) agreement with CARACAL, marking a landmark milestone in UAE–India defence collaboration. Under this initiative, the facility will produce: These next-generation weapons will serve the critical needs of: Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Special Forces, State Police Forces, and SPG, and also cater to global export requirements of CARACAL. Sumanth Paturu, Managing Director, ICOMM Tele Ltd, said: “This facility stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to India’s defence forces and our belief in the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. At ICOMM, we are not just making in India, we are making for India and for the world, with precision, pride and purpose. With CARACAL by our side as a trusted and visionary partner, we are building more than world-class weapons—we are building a bold, self-reliant India. This is our salute to every soldier, and our promise to deliver quality that protects, empowers and inspires.” Hamad Alameri, CEO of CARACAL, said: “The launch of the ICOMM CARACAL Small Arms Complex marks a milestone in our efforts to support the Indian market and defence industry. As the first small arms technology transfer from the UAE to India, the factory further highlights our commitment to Prime Minister Modi’s Make in India initiative. With successful technical qualification by two Special Forces units and strong progress in army trials, we are proud to deepen our role in India’s defence ecosystem. ICOMM has proven to be a highly capable and reliable partner, with world-class manufacturing expertise and a deep commitment to national self-reliance." The facility is a cornerstone in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India journey, blending global technology with Indian manufacturing excellence. It will also support CARACAL’s international programmes, strengthening India’s role as a trusted global defence production hub. For media enquiries, please contact: EDGE Group Press Office media@edgegroup.ae Established in 2007, CARACAL is a regional leader in high-performance small arms. The company designs, manufactures, tests, and maintains small mission-proven firearms, including combat pistols, modern submachine guns, tactical assault rifles, and precision sniper rifles for law enforcement, security, and military forces. CARACAL’s production legacy of 15+ years is reflected in the quality, performance, and dependability of its growing range of weapons, incorporating the latest technological advances, developed to address the evolving challenges of modern warfare as well as the diverse mission requirements of customers in the UAE and abroad. CARACAL is part of the Missiles & Weapons cluster of EDGE Group, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups. For more information, please visit caracal.ae ICOMM is one of India’s leading defence & integrated engineering firms, with deep expertise across missiles & sub-systems, Airborne Systems, Electronic Warfare Communications, radars, drones, electro-optics, Shelters and Composites systems. Its 110-acre facility in Hyderabad is a centre of excellence for high-end defence manufacturing. For more information, please visit https://icommtele.com  About MEIL (Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd) MEIL is one of India’s largest infrastructure conglomerates, operating in sectors including irrigation, water, hydrocarbons, transport, power, telecom, and defence. With a global footprint in over 20 countries and a workforce of 40,000+, MEIL delivers complex, large-scale infrastructure with unmatched speed & quality. For more information visit https://meil.in The press release is provided for informational purposes only. 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In the magical network of connections that is social media there’s an unexpected hero emerging: wildlife conservation Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are offering a new way to boost conservation efforts by connecting people worldwide to the realities of animal life As surprising as it sounds, it seems that our online addiction to cat videos, photos, and memes isn’t just for mindless entertainment; it can also feed into environmental awareness A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Communication showed how social media has the immense potential of rallying support for wildlife And who’s the internet’s favorite feline this time around It’s the caracal – a wild cat native to Africa with whimsical tufted ears The caracal is known as a smaller yet “charismatic” mammal. This wild feline has managed to attract the gaze of the online world, especially on social media channels thanks to its curious resemblance to our domestic kitty companions The study authors noted that caracals can be used as a “flagship species” to communicate the aims of scientific research in rapidly urbanizing landscapes “Using an aesthetic species such as the caracal is an effective way to capture public attention to communicate the importance of conserving urban wildlife,” noted Dr. Gabriella Leighton and Dr. Laurel Serieys from the University of Cape Town it’s not just about the caracal’s looks It’s also a question of deeper human engagement and involvement the experts are emphasizing the role that smaller carnivores play in igniting the public’s interest in science and conservation A key takeaway from the study is the power of public participation in conservation efforts where charismatic species can lend a hand in raising awareness about biodiversity in urban areas “The research demonstrates how a public interest in urban ecology and the global phenomenon of ‘cats on the internet’ can be harnessed to leverage conservation action,” said the researchers the success of conservation efforts relies heavily on public engagement particularly in biodiversity hotspots that are increasingly becoming urbanized and are understudied A prime example of this is the Urban Caracal Project (UCP) a location within a biodiversity hotspot and home to the caracal The project aims to explore caracal ecology and use social media as a tool to shape perceptions towards caracal conservation The experts used Google Trends to examine the global popularity of caracals from 2004 to the present day A comparison was also drawn against a similar African wildcat – the serval The data showed a significant surge in searches for the term “caracal,” doubling since the launch of UCP compared to a 76% increase in searches for “servals,” highlights the project’s success in raising global awareness about caracals the project has amassed more than 16,800 Facebook followers and over 7,300 followers on Instagram These growing numbers have granted the project a “micro-influencer” status attracting people not just from South Africa but also the UK The experts found that social media also presented a valuable platform for direct public engagement This interaction on social media has allowed the authors to conduct post-mortems thereby assessing threats to the caracal population and analyzing roadkill patterns exchanging information on the platform provides conservationists with valuable insights into how caracals respond to humans Most encounters happen on roads or paths where caracals are described as “calm” or “chilled” before swiftly moving away The common adjectives used in Facebook comments were “beautiful” for positive posts and “sad” for negative ones usually related to a death or threat to the population This observation points towards the fact that social media engagement has indeed led to people caring about caracal welfare a breakthrough in the world of wildlife conservation that we have in part to thank our “cats on the internet” obsession for these findings offer compelling reasons to embrace social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram as powerful tools in wildlife conservation there’s no stopping the internet’s love affair with cats The study is published in the journal Environmental Communication Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com If you’ve ever thought of the caracal before, you’ve probably pictured it inhabiting the savannas of Africa, its long-fringed ears sticking up above the wild grasses. But although the caracal (Caracal caracal) is best known from its African habitats, a tiny population persists in India took an astoundingly unusual photo of a caracal — a medium-sized wild cat with stunning ears — swimming the large river The photo is noteworthy not only because of the cat’s unusual aquatic behavior but because it was taken in Madhya Pradesh a central Indian state where the caracal was recently declared extinct by the Forestry Department “Quite surprising!” is how Shreyas Vijay describes the photo “This is likely the first-ever recorded instance of such behavior in Asiatic caracals.” with fewer than 100 individuals estimated across the whole country the caracal is also found in the Middle East as well as Central and Southwest Asia Researchers have observed caracals fording rivers in Africa; that includes Vijay who saw one swim the Berk River in South Africa But this is a first for one of the cats in Asia Vijay says no one knows why the Madhya Pradesh cat swam the river “[It] saddens me to think about the increasing anthropogenic pressures on their habitats that might have forced them to adapt so drastically to survive in the modern world,” he says Caracals were once famous in India where they were renowned as hunting cats for royalty they survive in only three states in the country “Every language had its own name for this feline,” Vijay says “It’s surprising how a once-popular animal has vanished both physically and culturally.” Vijay says the rare cats are threatened by habitat destruction due to agriculture grazing and wind turbines as well as competition from invasive species “Most caracal populations exist outside protected areas making it difficult to provide them with adequate protection Comprehensive studies are needed to guide conservation efforts in the right direction,” he says The Indian government has classified grasslands and scrub forests as “wastelands,” according to Vijay increasing pressure on species like caracals Intriguingly, the Madhya Pradesh Forestry Department recently announced it was looking to reintroduce caracals back into the state it introduced African cheetahs back into India the first cheetahs in the country since Asiatic cheetahs were extirpated here 70 years ago While the cheetah reintroduction has struggled — such programs rarely succeed without major setbacks — the big cat population has risen from an original population of 20 animals to 26 today Banner image: The caracal is endangered in India according to the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 100 individuals estimated across the whole country. Image by Leo za1 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) As caracals inch towards extinction, path to conserving the wild cat remains unclear