One of the most frequent inquiries we receive is requests to assist with relocating “problem” caracals. The definition of a “problem” caracal that citizens feel merits relocation varies, but has included the following scenarios:

1. A caracal has been seen in the area/estate but no predation event has occurred, or pets lost.

2. A domestic cat has gone missing.

3. Domestic fowl, goats, or sheep were killed.

4. The bokkes in an estate (fenced or not) have been preyed on. The bokkes reportedly preyed on by caracals have included native (though Estate-managed) grysbok, steenbok, non-native blue duikers which are forest species, ill-suited and non-native to live in the Western Cape, farm-raised bontebok.

Will we capture and relocate a caracal?

The short answer is: No- we are staunchly opposed to relocations. While trapping and relocating individuals is thought of as a humane-solution to current or potential conflict with predatory species, it rarely benefits the animal relocated. The reasons are many, but include:

1. A relocated caracal (or other wild cat) does not remain in the site it was relocated to. In fact, relocated individuals tend to move great distances. As a result, they are vulnerable to vehicle mortalities as they traverse unfamiliar landscapes. For example, the City of Cape Town has relocated 4 caracals that were detected predating on Boulders’ penguins. None of the caracals remained in the habitat patch they were transported to. Two males were hit by cars within a matter of weeks, while the other found its way back to the penguin colony and was subsequently euthanized, because relocations do not resolve the underlying problem.

2. A relocated caracal may be “dumped” into the territory of another caracal. We have observed locally that caracals will fight to the death as they compete for resources. That includes males killing both other males and females.

3. A relocated female may have kittens or young juveniles that she is tending to. We have observed multiple cases of females being moved, thus abandoning dependent young, which suffered as a result. In at least one case, this ended in the death of the dependent juvenile. It is often impossible to know before trapping whether you will capture a female, and if a female is captured, whether she has dependent young. If a kitten is captured, on the other hand, and moved, it will be moved away from its care-taker. One should always assume these are possible outcomes of relocation.

4. A relocated caracal may have disease that can spread to caracals, and even kill them, in a new location.

5. Importantly, relocations do not solve the underlying problem! If you have domestic animals that are vulnerable to predation by one caracal, then removing one caracal will not solve your problem, because where there is one caracal, there may be others.

6. Trapping is stressful to animals and they could injure themselves in the process. They may chew on cage bars and break their teeth. If a trap is improperly set or infrequently monitored, a trapped animal could severely cause bodily injury that would affect its ability to hunt.

7. By Cape Nature law, relocation is to occur approximately 3-5 km from the capture location. We have noted that male caracals have home ranges exceeding 70 square km. Thus, by moving an individual a relatively short distance, in no time, that trapped caracal will be right back to the area it was originally trapped.

So, when asked if we will capture and relocate caracals, we first respond with our own question – is there a problem you've noted, and if so, what makes you think there is a "problem" caracal in the area? These are important questions when considering solutions that are not necessarily humane, and do not actually solve issues long-term. 

Are caracals responsible for disappearing cats?

Caracals are opportunistic predators that will prey on a variety of bird and mammal species. While we know that caracals will feed on domestic cats and dogs, there are numerous factors that can lead to the disappearance of domestic pets and livestock. For example, the most frequent cause of death for domestic cats in urban areas is being hit by cars!  These deaths are not always seen however. Cats hit by cars may be scavenged, be knocked off a road when hit by a car, and people will take dead animals found alongside roads (we've learned this after extensive efforts to collect roadkill). The absence of proof of a pet being hit by a car is therefore not proof of death due to predation.

When we are asked about the danger caracals pose to pets, we also like to remind pet owners that their pets may even pose more risk to wildlife:

Humans, pets, and their effects on wildlife

• Human activities (e.g. habitat modification, roads and traffic, recreation, and ownership of domestic animals) near protected parklands affect wildlife in many ways

• Residents that live near protected park areas often express concern about the effects wildlife may have on their pets, including potential predation on domestic cats and dogs but rarely express concern for the effects their domestic animals may have on wild species

• Domestic cats and dogs can have big impacts on wildlife including by spreading disease and by preying on wildlife

• Free-ranging domestic cats (including pet indoor/outdoor cats) are considered one of the most important conservation threats for birds and mammals in numerous countries where the issue has been investigated

  • News articles that discuss subject:

    • Should pet owners be responsible for the actions of their cat?

    • New Research Suggests Outdoor Cats Kill More Wildlife Than Previously Thought

    • Cats, the No. 1 killer of birds in Canada

    • New studies highlight impact of outdoor cats on birds and other wildlife

    • Cats Pose an Even Bigger Threat to Birds than Previously Thought

• A University of Cape Town study on the effects of domestic cats on wildlife in South Africa also found domestic cats to be a serious conservation threat locally

• Studies have shown that the primary cause of death for domestic cats that roam outdoors is being hit by cars

How can I keep my pets safe from potential wildlife predation?

• Preventative measures are the only foolproof way to protect your pets

• Keeping your pets indoors protects them from a much more probable danger– being hit by a car

• Keep your pets indoors. If they roam free, try to at least keep them indoors at night when predatory species are more active

• If you have fowl such as chickens and ducks, put them in a coop. By having free-roaming pets and livestock, you invite predatory species to come close to residential areas

• Do not feed or water wildlife

• Spay or neuter you pets to reduce unwanted kittens and lower the number of stray/feral animals. Roaming animals will attract predators to your area

Why do cats eat cats?