Cape Point is a majestic destination that’s known for its breathtaking views, where sky, land and sea are the stars of the show. As one of the Western Cape’s top tourist destinations, Cape Point is truly a sight to behold.
On a lucky day, it’s not the only sight to behold. If you look close enough, you may spot a regal-aired rooikat moving along the rocky coastline at Rooikrans, Cape Point.
Also read: Watch: Caracal released back into the wild after dog attack
The cliff ledges at Rooikrans are situated inside the Cape Point Nature Reserve. It’s widely considered one of Cape Town’s premier fishing spots where anglers go to hook pelagic fish like yellowtail, snoek and kabeljou, in the deep waters immediately off shore.
So, naturally, it was the keen eyes of several fishermen that managed to spot the young caracal despite how well camouflaged it was against the rocks.
Thanks to Warren van Reenen, who captured the encounter, and the Urban Caracal Project, who shared the images on its Facebook page, we too get to see Cape Town’s favourite wild cat.
Take a look:




Also read: Cape Town’s caracals exposed to harmful “forever chemicals”
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 Table Mountain National Park, is a fragmented habitat for caracals, with a likely population size of 48 to 64 caracals. With Cape Town’s rapid urbanisation, caracals are the city’s largest remaining indigenous predator.
Urbanisation increases the threat of 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.
Ways to support the project:
- Please immediately report all roadkill 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 to 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 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:
Serial killer orcas leave massive shark scarred after attack
Picture: Warren van Reenen