There’s nothing like starting the week with some stunning wildlife and Fanie Kloppers has graced us with two gorgeous snaps of a caracal in Clovelly, Cape Town.
“I have lived in Clovelly for 43 years and this was by far my best encounter. I have seen caracal in Cape Point Olifantsbos area, but this was special,” Kloppers told the Urban Caracal Project. “Thank you for all you guys do to make people aware of these ‘ghosts’.”
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.
The Cape Town metropolitan region, which includes the Table Mountain National Park, is a fragmented habitat for caracals, with a likely population size of 48-64 Caracals. With Cape Town’s rapid urbanisation, caracals are the city’s largest remaining indigenous predator.
Urbanisation equals an increased threat to caracals. Humans impact the landscape which has downstream consequences for biodiversity conservation. So, it’s refreshing to see kittens being born and increased sightings of Caracal life.
Also read: Look! Caracal kittens spotted in Kirstenbosch
Ways to support the project:
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Please immediately report all roadkill caracals in the Cape Town area (ie., the Peninsula and outer suburbs) to Dr. Serieys at [email protected] or 079 837 8814.
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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 much 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 at the University of Cape Town. Any amount helps and 100% of the donations go to the project:
Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
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Beneficiary Reference: iCWild Urban Caracal
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Account name: UCT Donations Account
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Branch name: Rondebosch
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Branch code: 025009
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Branch address: Belmont Road, Rondebosch 7700, Cape Town
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Account number: 071522387
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Type of account: Current
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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! Gorgeous caracal spotted at Intaka Island, Century City
Picture: Fanie Kloppers / @my_first_forty2
