Captured Caracal Has a Hiss and Runs Off Into Bush

May 29

Caracals may not be the biggest cats found in the African wilds (larger caracals grow to roughly 20kg / 44lbs), but they certainly are ferocious predators. Like most cats, caracals are most dangerous when they feel trapped.

In this particular incident, in a video which did the rounds on Facebook, a caracal was caught in a farmer’s trap, and it was by no means taking its situation lightly. In fact, many people were surprised by the cat’s domineering nature.

Looking at a caracal, it is not easy to understand how formidable a creature it is. Caracals have the strength to jump upwards of 2.5 meters from a standstill, and the hunting prowess to take down medium-sized antelopes.

The ferocity combined with the feral nature of the caracal was a potent combination for the animal that was cooped up in a trap. The caracal immediately became frantic, running up and down and bashing its face against the metal.

One’s immediate reaction to seeing the video is concern, but there is a good reason for the caracal’s capture, which the description of the post does a fantastic job of explaining:

“A farmer trapped this little lady on his farm because of her tendency to borrow chickens on a non-return basis.

She had bashed her face against the trap cage a good few times while trying to escape, which necessitated a quick trip to our vet, Dr Georgie at Bryanston Avian, Exotic and Small Animal Clinic, to ensure everything was okay.

After a couple of days on pain meds and a few good meals, we released her today back into a remote nature reserve. Far, far away from any clucking chickens.'‘

We also encourage all farmers who use cage traps to please contact us anytime that we're needed, anywhere in the country.”