It seems spring is in the air as many pairs of regal ‘rooikats’ – the Afrikaans name for these elusive creatures – have been reported out and about in the Cape Town area, according to the Urban Caracal Project.
Spotting one Caracal is always a delightful sight to behold. But spotting a pair or more? Some would call that ‘hitting the jackpot’. With their long tufted ears and creamy underbellies, it’s difficult not to fall in love at first sight.
Another set of stunning pictures snapped at Cape Point, of a pair of Caracals lounging around in the greenery have made it’s way to The Urban Caracal Project’s facebook page.
Also read: Cape Town Caracals get a feature in National Geographic!
In the post, lucky on-looker, Sue Candy, gives the lowdown on what appears to be a universal ‘oops, my girl is moody again’ moment. Something us humans totally relate to.
“their interactions were interesting. I could be wrong but the darker guy (sitting behind the bush, I suspect male) was very attentive while sitting and watching the second one who was laying and being very aloof at the front of the bush.
The caracal at the back then stood up and seemed to mark the area behind him before coming around to the front. At this point, the second caracal (I suspect female) turned and hissed at him.
They then went further up the hill and settled at the foot of the large rock. Again when the one on the left got up and showed some interest, he got a hissy-fit in return. They then moved off. I was looking at them through binoculars – the cats were in excellent condition.”
Take a look:
Also read: Look! A curious Caracal caught on candid camera near UCT
The Urban Caracal Project aims to protect biodiversity through research and conservation. It operates through the Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild) at the Univesity of Cape Town.
Ways to support the project:
- Please immediately report all road kill caracals in the Cape Town area (i.e the Peninsula and outer suburbs) to Dr Gabriella Leighton at [email protected] or call 079 837 8814.
- The project relies exclusively on donations and grant support that has funded everything from GPS-collars and caracal tracking efforts, genetic analyses, supplies, pesticide and disease testing, health assessments, and many more!
- Report caracal sightings HERE.
Its current project expenses are focused on supporting the work of a PhD student Gabriella Leighton as she wraps up her urban caracal project on disease testing at the University of Cape Town.
Any amount helps and 100% of donations go to the project:
Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
- Beneficiary Reference: iCWild Urban Caracal
- Account name: UCT Donations Account
- Branch name: Rondebosch
- Branch code: 025009
- Branch address: Belmont Road, Rondebosch 7700, Cape Town
- Account number: 071522387
- Account type: Current
- Swift address: SBZAZAJJ
To assist with prompt identification and processing of donations, please include an abbreviated donor name and donation purpose in the bank reference field.
Once a deposit or electronic payment has been made, please notify the project by email at [email protected] and [email protected], explaining what the donation is for.
Also read:
Picture: Geoff Candy