Overstrand Municipality received a call on 12 February 2024 from a concerned person who spotted an injured caracal, also known as a Rooikat, in the bushes near the Hermanus New Harbour.

The Environmental Management Department’s Field Rangers and CapeNature tried to locate the caracal, but without success.

On the 14th, CapeNature requested assistance to catch it in the bushes above the Hermanus Community Day Centre (CDC) in Swartdam Road.

The caracal – a young female – was very thin and taken to the vet. Sadly, despite the best efforts, not all animals can be saved and she had to be euthanised as she was very weak.

A big thank you goes out to the member of public who called it in. Caracal is evasive, shy and solitary and these little known feline predators are seldom seen.

Residents can contact Cape Nature on 028 312 1456 or the Environmental Management Section of Overstrand Municipality on 028 316 3724 (o/h) or the Municipal Services Control Room on 028 313 8000/8111 or the 24-hour Fire & Rescue Emergency Control Room on 028 312 2400 if they spot an injured animal. Alternatively phone African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) in Gansbaai on 072 598 7117 or the Overberg Stranding Network on 082 746 5579 based in Hermanus.

The Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue Team 073 314 0674 only deals with terrestrial animals in the Hangklip-Kleinmond area.

If you discover a live wild animal caught in a snare in the Western Cape, call the Snare Free hotline for assistance on 076 127 8485.