By Ami Hyslop | Chief Administrative Officer
As part of TRACK Rehabilitation, we recently had the opportunity to return a wild caracal to its natural environment.
The caracal was originally caught by farmers who did not want to harm the animal, but were concerned about having a caracal living on their property. Caracals are sometimes viewed as a nuisance or “pest” by farmers because of the potential for conflict with livestock and other farm activities. Rather than injuring or killing the animal, the farmers contacted us for assistance.
We took the caracal into our care and assessed her condition. Fortunately, she was in excellent, completely wild condition, meaning that she had retained the natural behaviours and instincts necessary to survive independently. Because she did not require long-term rehabilitation, our goal was to give her the opportunity to return to the wild as quickly and safely as possible.
We released her onto a suitable area of the farm, on the far side of the property away from the animal camps and regular human activity. This provides her with a large area to explore and allows her to establish herself with as little human interference as possible.
Although we have not seen the caracal herself since her release, we have found caracal tracks in areas close to the camps, suggesting that she may occasionally move through different parts of the property as she explores her new territory. This is exactly what we hope to see — a wild animal moving freely and independently through its environment.
The Purpose of TRACK Rehabilitation
This release represents exactly what TRACK Rehabilitation was established to achieve: providing wildlife with a second chance when they find themselves in conflict with people.
Wherever possible, our aim is not simply to provide temporary care, but to rehabilitate animals and return them to the wild where they belong. By working with farmers and communities, we can help prevent unnecessary harm to wildlife while providing animals with a safe pathway back into their natural environment.
For this caracal, the best outcome was not a life in captivity. It was the opportunity to disappear into the landscape, follow her natural instincts, and live freely once again.
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By Riana van Nieuwenhuizen | Founder
By Gerbie Mir | Chief Operating Officer
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