15 February 2023

Caracal in Cape Town?

Hi all,

I’ve got a week long trip to Cape Town at the end of March. Sadly I’m not travelling with any die-hard mammal watchers, so opportunities will be slim but I wondered if anyone knew of anywhere half-decent for trying for Caracal?

Any help much appreciated!

Daniel

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Post author

danielwillcox

Co-chair for IUCN SSC Small Carnivore Specialist Group and Programme Manager for IUCN SSC Asian Species Action Partnership. Currently living in France: interested in connecting to anyone who has an interest in mammal watching in Europe or in South-east Asia

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5 Comments

  • 15 February 2023
    Jon Hall

    Daniel, you could check out the Urban Caracal Conservation in Capetown people on facebook. They ought to know. Judging by the pictures the places is swarming with them! I remember a year or so ago there were two young adults living in the Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens that were pretty habituated. I am trying to find out the latest news for you.

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    • 16 February 2023
      danielwillcox

      Thanks Jon! I’ve checked them out and send a message. If you do find out anymore details on the pair in Kirstenbosch I would be interested: I was planning to got there anyway.

  • 15 February 2023
    Paul Carter

    Hi Daniel. I have seen caracal at Rocherpan Nature Reserve up the west coast a little north of Langebaan. As an aside I saw your profile comment re SE Asia. I am based in Phuket.

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    • 16 February 2023
      danielwillcox

      Thanks Paul. Will look you up: I’m often in Thailand for work and always looking for a way to squeeze in some wildife watching.

  • 21 February 2023
    Jon Hall

    I checked with Capetonian wildlife expert Trevor Hardaker, who told me “They do still occasionally get seen in the Botanical Gardens, but not terribly regularly these days, so it’s really hit and miss there. In fact, much like most places in Cape Town. I’ve been having some success in the Cape Point Reserve recently, particularly very early in the mornings. If I can be one of the first people through the gate in the mornings and be the first one driving the roads in the reserve, I’ve lucked into them a few times, particularly on the road down to Cape of Good Hope. Again, it’s nowhere near guaranteed, but the odds seem reasonable there at the moment..”
    Let us know how you go Daniel!

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