Domestic Pets Warned
The owner of a rare breed of domestic cat was reportedly highly upset when it became the prey of a Caracal (Rooikat).
Apparently the only remnant of her beloved feline was the head.
The traumatised cat owner lives in the Eden area which abounds the Garden Route dam.
Justine of Cape Nature Conservation said this week that a Caracal would regard a domestic cat as easy prey. "You must remember that if a domestic cat ventures into the veld around the Garden Route dam area, it will find itself in the Rooikat’s territory and pet owners must accept that when their properties are close to natural habitats of wild animals, this sort of thing can happen."
Barend le Roux of CapeNature concurred: "There is a risk attached to living next to a nature area like the Garden Route dam; we have had reports of dogs being bitten by snakes and a dachshund being caught by an owl. It is not practical for a cage trap to be set for the Rooikat. It is very likely that there is more than one in the territory and how do you know whether the culprit has been caught?
"The only suggestion I can make is for cat owners to attach a bell to their collar so that they can keep track where their pet goes."Even leopards can catch dogs - this is the territory of wild animals and this should be kept in mind."
The Caracal is highly territorial (African lesser cat) and an exceptional climber and jumper, but unfortunately regarded as vermin by farmers.
It is found in the Garden Route dam area and I have even had a rare glimpse of one dashing a cross the N2 at Wilderness many years ago.
The Caracal resembles a cross between a leopard and a lynx.
Its coat is reddish-brown with distinctive tufted ears and white markings around its eyes and on its throat, chin, and belly.
It is far more commonly found in Southern than East Africa.
Diet description
It feeds on rodents, small antelope, hares and birds and sometimes eats sheep and goats. It is mainly active in the morning and evening although during the hottest months it hunts at night.
The ultimate survivor
Able to surviving for long periods without drinking as most of the moisture it needs comes from the tissue fluids of its prey.
Humans worst enemy
The caracal is an endangered species according to the Wikipedia, but CapeeNature does not regard it as an endangered species.
Interesting facts
It is able to snatch a bird in flight, sometimes more than one at a time and is almost impossible to see in the wild, not because there are very few of them, but because it hides extremely well.
**The Caracal has been hybridised with the domestic cat at the Moscow Zoo.
(Compiled by Pauline Lourens).
