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Ivory Tree Blog
The Brave Caracal
Now for us who are not familiar with the caracal, let me tell you a little bit about it. To start with let's say that it is in my eyes one of the most amazing of all cats. Besides it's beautiful chestnut/rusty color, and it's pointy ears it is also a rugged survivor, adapting to some of the harshest climates from the middle east down to southern Africa. In fact the name comes from the Turkish language 'caracula'. Now on my last drive before going on a weeks leave I was responding to 2 sightings in the southern area of the park on Kubu, a breeding herd of elephants and some Lions just a bit further. The elephants where magnificent, big matriarchs tiny little "dumbo's" and the teenagers all browsing along the kopjes. At the same time I noticed some giraffes a bit further down quite close to the road and my guests asked if we could try get a bit closer. Once we stopped something caught my eye. a Caracal was casually walking along the road and my enthusiasm was totally directed to this cat as it is one of the more rare creatures in the park. Now for the amazing part; even though pound for pound in relation to it's size it is the world's most powerful cat (so if it was say lion-size a lion would be no match for it!) This courageous animal started stalking the giraffes!!! I could not believe my eyes. obviously the giraffes where having none of that and spotted it early on. Its cover blown it was now on the prowl again. looking for something more suitable to its size. Scanning the area it got a lock, and started moving towards the elephants, taunting and teasing them!! It was comical and entertaining watching this brave little cat interacting with the largest of our animals, my guests and myself headed back to the lodge after a great drive and a great laugh!!
Steve
Ranger, Ivory Tree Game Lodge
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MARCH 2010
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