Finding predators lurking in the garden is not that usual in our neighbourhood, but for a while a female rooikat (Caracal caracal) comfortably took up residence alongside the urban edge rearing her young over a couple of years. Sightings of her and the kits were always thrilling, whether hunting or just passing through.
WPC: Unlikely
Nature on the Edge 
I love hearing about urban predators from other parts of the world!
Hi Megan, thanks for the comments. Lovely to see you here :). A shared interest in urban wildlife conflict goes back to 2011? Then we had the baboon problem, your coyote project inspired.
Recently Dr Laurel Seirueys (originally from Texas) has headed up the Urban caracal project here in Cape Town. Interesting findings too. Neat to read your latest blogs. I shall be checking back in again.
Yes, great to be back in touch 🙂 I just saw the website for the Urban Caracal Project (someone involved in it just followed my blog) – so cool. I’m looking forward to digging into it! We’ve recently started an urban coyote project in Washington, D.C.: The District Coyote Project (www.DistrictCoyotes.com). And yes, I’m trying to become more active on my blog again — I’m always impressed that you’re so active on yours!
It’s a very handsome animal. What a thrill it would be to see it.
Thats quite amazing
How amazing! Don’t think I’d be petting that kitty though.
Amazing! This looks like a very interesting ‘cat’ to see in an urban setting.
Wow, how cool that must have been to see. Looks like she lost a fang.
Much, much, much more thrilling than anything I’e ever encountered in our garden!
simply fabulous
Happiness is seeing a caracal nearby. One crossed the road ahead of me only a kilometer out of town recently and I have had my eye open for it ever since! Lovely photograph.
I grew up in South Africa in a little town where leopards and elephants were quite the norm in and about the town. Life was a ‘little’ dangerous then, but my biggest fear was the snakes and spiders. But it was an amazing life, however a few who ventured on lonely roads, often succumbed to a leopard or lion attack. Even now, the same little town is still beset with wildlife. One of the mining companies there (the reason the town started) still has regular visits from elephants and lions are often seen sleeping under the trees…but life goes on and these events are normal and accepted as part of life.
Great sighting! Could you please report it on the Urban Caracal Project website form (if you haven’t already!). Here’s the link: https://www.urbancaracal.org/report-sightings-roadkill/
WOW! That’s amazing! Makes our Foxes look a bit tame.
fantastic!!
They have very distinctive ears don’t they? I bet their young are cute. What a privilege to be able watch them close to home.
Yes those tufted ear tassels really set them apart from other cat species. Always a thrill to sight them though we’ve had a couple of close encounters – glad that the house doors were closed!
Great photo. Good thing you are able to capture it up close.
Thanks Arlene, though came across this one unexpectedly – had my iPhone with me. A quick shot and then I hastily withdrew. That was a warning expression – ‘don’t come any closer’!
Just perfect!