An unexpected visitor, in the form of a striking caracal, also known as a “rooikat” or “lynx”, was found sitting pretty on the kitchen cupboards of a Durbanvillle family home last week.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said a trainee wildlife inspector, Rico Pentz, was dispatched around midday last Thursday to the home.
He found the caracal hiding on top of the kitchen cupboard, behind a ceramic chicken.
“He was not at all happy about the predicament he found himself in and the rescue took place amidst much hissing and spitting.
“Our trainee inspector is fortunately very experienced in handling wildlife and was able to quickly capture the caracal,” Abraham said.
“Once safely inside a wild animal carrier, the caracal was brought back to our Wildlife Centre where it was cared for overnight.
Once we were sure that he had suffered no ill effects from his traumatic experience the day before, the caracal was released into the Tygerberg Nature Reserve.”
In a video of the release, within a matter of seconds the animal was off and out of sight.
“Caracals are opportunistic predators that will prey on many bird and mammal species so it’s best to keep your pets indoors at night when predatory species are active,” Abraham said.
Cape Nature spokesperson Marietjie Engelbrecht said this incident is definitely not something that happens often within the city boundaries.
“Even though wild caracals are curious cats, they are usually very cautious of humans. Caracals are wild animals and depending on the size and age of the caracal, could pose a danger to pets or humans if cornered.
"Should any wild animal be found in a residence the best course of action would be to move away from the animal and contact your nearest conservation office for assistance,” Engelbrecht said.
According to the Urban Caracal Project which aims to protect biodiversity through research and education, the caracal is a robustly built cat with long powerful legs, large paws, a short tail and ear tips with long hair tufts.
Caracals are primarily nocturnal, although within the Table Mountain National Park in the Cape Peninsula, daytime activity of caracals was documented on numerous occasions.
Caracals normally start hunting for prey in early evening and are typically active until sunrise.
Cape of Goodhope SPCA can be contacted on 021 700 4140.