One of the reasons I love reporting on camera trap surveys is that they not only provide interesting imagery of rare species in the wild – they also play a key role in conservation efforts. This latest story, from Sikkim, northern India, is a key example.
For only the second time ever, the Eurasian lynx has been caught on camera in this region, which lies within the Himalayas. The Eurasian lynx is a medium-sized wild cat characterized by ear tufts and a short tail, and is adapted to cold, high-altitude areas.
In fact, it marks only the second time that this rarely sighted big cat has ever been caught on camera in the entire Eastern Himalayas, with both photos proving to be the only, yet vital visual confirmation conservationists have of this species’ distribution in these parts.
“The photographic confirmation of the Eurasian lynx in the Tso Lhamo plateau is a proud moment for Sikkim,” said Sri Udai Gurung, chief conservator of forests, Forest and Environment Department, Sikkim.
“It highlights the ecological significance of our high-altitude rangelands and reinforces our commitment to protecting these fragile ecosystems.”
The sighting was recorded as part of a long-term monitoring project being jointly conducted by the Government of Sikkim and WWF-India.
Following years of anecdotal reports of the Eurasian lynx in the region, the photograph was captured in January this year by a camera trap deployed at 17,224ft / 5,250m on the Tso Lhamo plateau in Mangan district.
Together with the first-ever Himalayan photographic record of the Eurasian lynx, captured in 2025 , the images will help form the basis of further research to document the species in this region of the world's tallest mountain range.
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