Eurasian Lynx, Palla's Cat: Elusive Wildlife Species Captured In Sikkim

The elusive Eurasian lynx has been photographed for the first time in Sikkim, marking only the second confirmed photographic record of the species in the entire Eastern Himalayan region. This comes just weeks after the successful sighting of the elusive Mishmi Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Sikkim. As one of the most mysterious creatures of the Himalayas, this large goat-antelope is incredibly understudied, making its documented presence in the state a landmark moment. The Eurasian lynx, a rare wild cat, was captured by a camera trap in January 2026 at an altitude of 17,224 feet on the Tso Lhamo plateau in the Mangan district, providing the first definitive photographic evidence of the species' presence in the state. Although local herders and forest officials had reported sightings of the animal over the years, the latest image finally confirms that the Eurasian lynx continues to inhabit Sikkim's trans-Himalayan landscape.