Caracals are perceived as a threat to livestock and as a result are persecuted by farmers and nomadic herders.
The caracal, or African lynx, or desert lynx as it is commonly referred to, is distributed throughout Africa, and Asia from Turkey through northwestern India to Arabia. Displaying a large tolerance of habitat the caracal inhabits grasslands, scrubby woodlands and forested areas throughout its range.
The Caracal is considered as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. CITES lists the species as "Appendix 2" except for populations in Asia which are under "Appendix 1".