Sometimes wild animals and farmers can’t see eye-to-eye so the responsible action is to relocate them to a safer space; that was what one farmer did for a caracal on his farm.
Johannesburg, South Africa (03 June 2022) – A farmer having problems with a Caracal set a trap so he could safely relocate it to a reserve. He successfully caught the animal but found that it was pretty feisty. The male Caracal injured its face, so the farmer sent the animal to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH).
The Caracal is a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and India. The mammal is characterised by a robust build, long legs, a short face, long tufted ears and long canine teeth.
Typically nocturnal, the Caracal is highly secretive and difficult to observe. They are territorial and live mainly alone.
They often clash with farmers as more of their territories are consumed by farmland. This usually ends in many of the animals being killed. Farmers that trap and relocate these animals to safer spaces are praised for their efforts in trying to preserve the species.
“This adult male Caracal (Caracal caracal) was caught in a trap by a farmer wanting the animal relocated. When he arrived at our hospital, he was sedated to enable us to examine him properly. It was evident that he had injured himself while in the trap. He had multiple old injuries on his face consistent with larger cats in traps, and had also injured his left eye. Thankfully he was in good condition, a whole 14kg of muscled, angry kitty!”
The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital team has been treating the Caracal’s injuries, and he has healed beautifully, as you can see in the title image. Dr K took the photo of the drowsy caracal while he was still sedated.
He is making an excellent recovery. The wildlife veterinary team are now waiting for the correct paperwork, and then he will be released into an enclosure before he has his full release back into the wild. The Makalali Private Game Lodge will soon have a resident caracal.
The wildlife vet treats all indigenous animals free of charge in the hopes of saving as many local species as possible.
There are several other ways that you can help too. JWVH accept donations here or see their full wishlist here. An easy way to get involved is to also nominate them on your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet rewards card, which you can do so here. Or via direct bank transfer, see their banking details below.
Snapscan: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/PXMP5766
Johannesburg Wildlife NPC
FNB Cheque account
Account nr: 62658400264
Branch code: 255355
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ
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