Blessed are we to receive yet another sighting of the shy caracal. These majestic beings have always been a sight to behold. With their regal personas and long tufted ears, these elusive wild cats have everyone entranced whenever they’re spotted.
According to the Urban Caracal Project, this stunning sighting is an interesting one.
Based on their analysis of scats and prey remains found in the field, the snack you see in the caracal’s mouth isn’t its usual prey – approximately 4% of the 40% of wild mammals that make up their diet, to be precise.
So not only is this a beautiful snap, it’s a rare one too.
Take a look:
If you’re wondering “what in the natural world is this regal creature chomping on?” It’s a common mole-rat (cryptomys hottentotus).
Yes, a mole-rat.
In the post, the Urban Caracal Project explains that these “burrowing rodents are widespread in the Western Cape. They are herbivorous and mainly eat geophytes (i.e., bulbs). They live in family units of up to 14 individuals.”
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 University 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:
Look! A potential Caracal couple spotted quarrelling at Cape Point
Picture: Roelof Louw