- Is predominantly nocturnal, but may also be active in the early
morning and late afternoon.
- Is solitary, but family groups also occur, comprising an adult
female and her young.
- Appears less likely than the black-backed jackal to develop trap
avoidance behaviour.
- Has a home range of 3,9 km^(2) to 65 km^(2) (see details below).
- Scent-marks by defaecating on the ground, squirting urine on bushes
and other prominent sites, and forming urine scrapes on the ground.
Stuart 1 observed urine scrapes in sandy areas such as fire breaks,
sand tracks, dunes and sandy river beds, and also noted that ground
urination sites are characterized by a distinct urine smell and
occasionally dark stains. These places are ideal trap-sites for
caracals.
- Has well developed senses.
- Is not disturbed by human scent and trap odours to the same extent
as jackals are. However, this does not mean that traps need not be
camouflaged.
- Is curious, and will investigate familiar and unfamiliar sounds,
which allows the use of auditory attractants at or in the vicinity of
trap-sites. Caracals will also investigate visual attractants such as
feather and fur 'flags'.
- Tends to avoid stepping on objects present on otherwise clear ground. Strategic placement of objects such as sticks and stones can thus be used to encourage the target animal to step onto the clear area over the pan of the trap.
- Restrict the animal's movements in the cage trap (i.e., avoid using
traps that are too large).
- Never use badly constructed cages with sharp edges or exposed wire
tips inside.
- Shorten the time that trapped caracals spend in cage traps.
- Avoiding confusing captured caracals through noise and the presence
of unnecessary personnel during the checking of traps and the
immobilization of trapped animals.
- Minimize attempts to escape from the cage, and resultant injuries,
by covering the cage with a hessian sheet.
- If the animal is to be immobilized, take suitable precautions (see Handling, Care, and Loading of Immobilized Carnivores, Section A2).
- Do not touch the trapped animal if you do not know how to handle it.
- Immobilize the animal before working with it (see Chemical Capture
of Carnivores, this Section).
- Use a hessian bag to restrain a semi-immobilized caracal.
- Keep away from the teeth and the claws.
- Be prepared to deal with non-target animal captures.
- Trap. See Cage Traps and Camp Traps (Section A2) for a description
of the construction of a cage trap. A suitable alternative design can
also be used. The dimensions of the trap should be: single-door traps
- 1.22 x 0.5 x 0.5 m; double-door traps - 1.8 x 0.5 x 0.5 m.
- Lure/bait (see Cage and Camp Traps, and Foot-hold Traps, Section A2).
- A cup-sized tin or plastic container for the lure.
- A spade to level the soil surface.
- An axe to chop branches from shrubs.
- Test the trap-door trigger mechanism for effectiveness. Inspect the
welded seams of the trap's steel framework for weaknesses and, if
necessary, repair them. Check the wire mesh for weaknesses,
especially the bottom of the trap where the wire mesh and the binding
wire tend to rust and where the trapped animal usually digs in an
attempt to escape. Clean the trap with a scrubbing brush and water.
- Prevent the accummulation of strange/unnatural smells on traps.
- Clean the trap by brushing off the dirt and spraying it with water.
- Store the trapping accessories in a clean, dry place with no
unnatural smells.
- Handle the cage traps with clean hands or gloves.
- Avoid excessive disturbance at the trap-site.
- Minimize soil disturbance at the trap-site by levelling the soil surface.
- Do not chop the branches used to cover the trap and bait/lure at the trap-site.
- Note: always attempt to direct the caracal towards the cage trap
entrance by packing branches next to the cage trap and around the
back of the trap (where the lure/bait is hung).
- It is important that the trap be stable when set. If the cage moves
when the caracal enters, the trapping will probably not be successful.
- A cage trap should not be set at a site were vegetation height is lower than 400 mm (= 80% of the trap height), or where vegetation density is less than 25%, with the exception of vegetated sites on saddles, at the foot of steep slopes, or in any other terrain type with physical obstructions.
- Do not leave stones, sticks or other debris underneath the trap pan.
- Do not damage vegetation extensively in the immediate vicinity of
the trap-site.
- Do not use other untested or poor techniques.
- Do not use ineffective or faulty devices.
- Do not drive on roads at night were traps are set.
- Do not be noisy or crowd around a trapped caracal.
- Preferably do not set traps in paths.
- Minimize trap-inflicted injuries by using foot-hold traps with
smooth, padded, off-set jaws (see Humane Modification and Use of
Foot-hold Traps, Section A2).
- Minimize self-inflicted injuries by:
- Using traps with off-set jaws and trap pads (allowing free blood
flow and minimizing damage to the nerves).
- Shortening the time the captured caracal spends in the trap by
regular daily visits to the trap-site, preferably in the early
morning.
- Fitting tranquillizer tabs to the traps4 (see Humane Modification
and Use of Foot-hold Traps, Section A2).
- Minimize additional injury (probably caused by strained ligaments,
tendons, and muscles) to the leg which had been trapped by:
- Checking traps regularly.
- Handling captured caracals carefully before and when the trap is
being taken off the leg.
- Minimize attempts by the caracal to escape from the trap, which
could cause injuries, by preventing unnecessary noise and disturbance
by personnel when checking traps and immobilizing the caracal.
- Minimize self inflicted injuries during subsequent transportation by:
- Covering the transport cage with hessian or canvas.
- Tranquillizing or immobilizing the animal.
- If the animal is to be immobilized, take suitable precautions (see Handling, Care, and Loading of Immobilized Carnivores, Section A2).
- Do not attempt to restrain the trapped caracal if you do not know
how to handle it.
- Immobilize the animal before working with it.
- If the caracal must be physically restrained, use a strong hessian
bag to cover the head and legs and to keep the animal on the ground.
- Keep away from the teeth and the claws.
- Be prepared to deal with non-target animal captures.
- Prevent unnatural smells on traps.
- Treat the foot-hold traps in warm, diluted plant oil extract (see
Foot-hold Traps, Section A2).
- Store the trapping accessories in a clean, dry place with no
unnatural smells.
- Handle foot-hold traps with clean hands or gloves.
- Prevent trap or trap-site identification by caracals.
- Cover the trap with a layer of soil.
- Minimize soil disturbance at the trap-site by levelling the soil
surface over the trap and immediately adjacent to the trap 'hole'.
- Do not allow disturbance of caracals (e.g., shooting and driving of vehicles in the trapping area).
- Do not allow activity in the trapping area during times of possible
caracal activity.
- Do not leave stones, sticks and other debris on top of the set trap.
- Do not damage vegetation extensively in the immediate vicinity of
the trap-site.
- Do not use other untested or poor techniques.
- Do not use ineffective or faulty traps.
- Do not drive on roads at night where traps are set.
- Do not be noisy or crowd around a trapped caracal.
- Preferably do not set traps in paths.
- Do not use pegs to anchor traps that have padded jaws.
- Do not attempt to restrain a trapped caracal manually.
- Stuart, C.T. 1982. Aspects of the biology of the caracal (Felis
caracal Schreber, 1776) in the Cape Province, South Africa.
Unpublished M.Sc. thesis, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
- Norton, P.M. & Lawson, A.B. 1984. Radio tracking leopards and
caracals in the Stellenbosch area, Cape Province. S. Afr. J. Wildl.
Res. 15:17-24.
- Moolman, L.C. 1986. Aspekte van die ekologie en gedrag van die
rooikat Felis caracal Schreber, 1776 in die Bergkwagga Nasionale Park
en op die omliggende plase. Unpublished MSc thesis, University of
Pretoria, Pretoria.
- Balser, D.S. 1965. Tranquiliser tabs for capturing wild
carnivores. J. Wildl. Manage. 29:438-442.
- Boddicker, M.L. 1980. Managing Rocky Mountain furbearers: Training
manual. Colorado Trappers Assoc., La Porte.
- Pringle, J.A. & Pringle, V.L. 1979. Observations on the lynx Felis
caracal in the Bedford district. S. Afr. J. Zool. 14:1-4.
- Beasom, S.L. 1974. Selectivity of predator control techniques in
south Texas. J. Wildl. Manage. 38:837-844.
- Anon 1986. Problem animal control course for nature conservators.
Unpublished manuscript. Chief Directorate Nature and Environmental
Conservation, Cape Provincial Administration.
- Grobler, J.H. 1981. Feeding behaviour of caracal, Felis caracal
Schreber 1776 in the Mountain Zebra National Park. S. Afr. J. Zool.
16:259-262.
- Personal communication: Dr M. Boddicker, 4620 Moccasin Circle, La
Porte, Colorado, 80535, USA.
Return to index Return to Scottish Big Cats Return to Dumfries and Galloway Return to 2002
Report from Chris Smith
Physical capture of the caracal
By D.J. Brand inWildlife Decision Support
The caracal...
How to capture the caracal
Caracals may be captured successfully using foot-hold traps or cage
traps. Criteria include those listed below.
Non-target capture. Cage traps allow non-target species to be
released relatively unharmed. Cage traps should therefore be used
whenever possible in preference to foot-hold traps, particularly when
there is a high chance of capturing non-target animals.
Injury. Cage traps cause less injury to caracals than foot-hold
traps. Cage traps should therefore always be used as a first option.
Previous exposure. If the caracals in the area have been heavily
persecuted using cage traps this may limit the options to the
foot-hold trap.
Visible signs. Locate visible evidence of the caracals' presence.
Tracks and territorial marks will help in the decisions regarding the
number of traps to be set and the most likely sites for a successful
trapping attempt.
Local conditions. Obtain information on where caracals can be found,
when they are most active, how regularly they use certain areas,
where and how regularly their prey remains are found, etc. A lot of
experimenting can be eliminated in this way: adapt the time, place
and technique of setting according to the prevailing circumstances.
When to set a trap
Traps should be set from after the caracal activity peak in the morning until late afternoon. This procedure will minimize disturbance of caracals in the trapping area.
Where to set a trap
The home range size of the male caracal in the Macchia veld type of the south-western Cape mountains of South Africa is 65 km (2) 2, while that of females in the Karroid Broken Veld of the south-western Cape Province is between 11,8 and 26,7 km (2) 1. The home range sizes of caracals in the False Karoo veld types of the Eastern Cape province vary from 3,9 to 6,5 km (2) for females, and from 5.1 to 30.6 km (2) for males3. The larger the home range of a caracal, the more important is the spacing of the traps to cover the routes used by the particular animal. Core areas (indicated by abundant caracal signs of the 'same' animal) within the home range are of importance in trap-site selection (Fig. 1).The territories of male and female caracals overlap slightly with territories of other caracals of the same sex3. Furthermore, male territories overlap extensively, in the majority of cases, with those of females. In theory, the chances of capturing caracals are highest if traps are set at sites where territories overlap (Fig. 1). Tracks and scats of different sizes in the same area indicate such sites, and these should be exploited as setting sites.
Macro-site (See Foot-hold Traps, Section A2, for a definition.)
Caracals occur in open country in karroid and semi-arid veld types and in open savanna woodland, whilst they are absent from forested areas. They are associated with open vleis and open grassland: this applies even where cover is minimal, consisting of widely scattered clumps of Acacia and solitary stands of high grass. In the False Karoo veld types of the Cradock district (eastern Cape Province) caracals prefer broken terrain with open to dense vegetation to low shrubland on flats and plateau grassland3.
In general, a higher caracal capture rate is obtained in heterogeneous habitats (with variation in vegetation and terrain, e.g. broken terrain with vegetation of different height and density) than in homogeneous habitats (with little or no variation in vegetation and terrain, e.g. open flats with a uniform low shrubland) in Karroid areas. However, caracals are often present in homogeneous habitats, especially if adequate cover exists. More specifically, higher capture rates are obtained on paths over sparsely vegetated saddles with steep sides, on paths next to sparsely vegetated steep slopes, and on paths along densely vegetated riverbanks (Fig. 2). Capture rates on open flats are low.
Micro-site (See Foot-hold Traps, Section A2, for a definition.)
Caracals make extensive use of paths next to fences and in densely vegetated areas. Stock and game trails, farm roads, jeep tracks, and dry river beds are also used. Popular setting sites are where two footpaths meet/fork, at travelway crossings (e.g. footpaths and roads/river beds) and at junctions (Fig. 3). The immediate vicinity of the travelway should be inspected for signs such as urination stains, faeces, and scrape marks, as possible trap-sites may be identified in this manner. Fresh tracks and to-and-fro tracks on travelways, indicators of either recent caracal activity or regular caracal activity, also indicate possible trap-sites. Carcases in the veld and sightings may also suggest possible trap-sites.
The use of cage traps to capture caracals
This method of capture (if applied according to instructions) causes less injuries and possibly less stress to captured animals than the use of foot-hold traps. Another advantage is that non-target animals can be released unharmed.
Precautions
Prevent severe injuries to captured caracals.
Prevent injuries to handlers.
Technique
Materials
Preparation
Attractants
Olfactory attractants
Olfactory attractants are usually positioned on the outside of the cage trap, out of reach of the caracal (Fig. 4).
Visual attractants
Hang feathers or fur with a piece of string from the roof of the cage trap in the top far corner beyond the trap pan.
Auditory attractants
Place a squeaker on top of a bush with the trap and lure at the side of the bush (Fig. 8 illustrates the position of the squeaker in a similar set with foot-hold traps). Another effective method for caracals is to place the device in some bushes directly behind the trap (Fig. 8 illustrates the position of the squeaker in a similar set with foot-hold traps).
How to set a trap
Single-door trap (adapted from Anon.8). The trap is set next to the path (travelled by caracals) with the trap door facing the path (Fig. 5). Do not place the trap more than one metre away from the travelway. The trap should be placed underneath a shrub or between two bushes or shrubs (situated about one trap's width from each other). Clear the trap-site of all perennial vegetation using the spade and axe. Level the soil surface with the spade. Take care to limit disturbance to the trap site only.
Place the trap in position. Place the attractant in position. If the back of the trap is not covered and screened by vegetation, cut branches (preferably dry ones, away from the trap site) and place these in a strategic position to prevent the caracal from inspecting the attractant from the back of the trap. The caracal is then obliged to use the trap entrance to inspect the lure.
Branches can also be placed on top of the trap to provide shade for the captured animal, but take care to ensure that these do not interfere with the trap-door mechanism. Remove the soil, stones and other objects from underneath the trap pan, as these may prevent the trap pan from being activated. Cover the bottom of the trap and trap pan with a soil layer to create a natural appearance. If the soil is very sandy and it flows through or underneath the trap pan, place a piece of hessian over the trap pan onto the bottom of the trap before placing the soil over this area. Place a guide-stick or stone in front of the trap pan to force the caracal to step past this object onto the trap pan. The trap is then set. Ensure that the trap door is set at a height that enables the caracal to enter the trap easily.
Double door trap. This trap should be set next to a path used by the target caracal (Fig. 6). Create a false path against vegetation (preferably a bush or shrub) immediately next to the foot path, more or less 2,2 m in length. Mark the trap outline on the soil surface. Clear and level the trap-site with the spade. Do not damage the vegetation next to the trap-site, unless this is unavoidable. Place the attractant in position at the expected position of the trap pan. Place the trap in position and steady it on the soil surface. Place branches in strategic positions if necessary, as described above. Remove the soil and other obstructions from underneath the trap pan. Camouflage the bottom of the trap and the trap pan as previously described. Place guide-sticks on both sides of the trap pan (do not use stones in this case, as these may prevent the animal from moving over the trap pan). Set the trap.
Sets
The following sets are used to capture caracals.
Scented sets
This is the most selective technique when natural lures are used, but
is less effective than blind sets in most cases. However, it still
delivers good results.
The scent post set. Natural lures and curiosity lures are used with
this technique. In the case of a single door trap, the lure container
is hung in the top corner at the back of the trap (Fig. 4a). When a
double door trap is used, the lure container is placed on a stone on
the soil surface below the expected position of the trap pan before
placing the trap. Alternatively, the lure container may be hung from
vegetation against the side of the trap, adjacent to the trap pan
(Fig. 4b).
Baited set
This technique is less selective than the scented set, and is less
effective than the blind set in most cases. Live bait (Fig. 4c) or
carcases of fresh caracal kills could be used to attract the target
animal to the trap. Caracals sometimes return to their kills 9 and
could be captured in this way. The bait is placed next to the trap
pan, on the outside of the trap (see Fig. 6).
The 'kraal' set (Fig. 7).
This set is effective for animals that are not wary of passing through holes or tunnels. Build a small kraal with branches (preferably with thorns) around the carcase of a fresh caracal kill. Alternatively, conceal the kill in a barricade constructed of logs. Leave only one entrance and place the single or double door trap in the entrance. In the case of the single door trap, the carcase should preferably be lain against a dense bush at the back of the set, whilst the trap should be placed as near as possible to the bait, with the sides covered with branches. It is important to construct a sturdy enclosure to force the caracal to use the only entrance to the bait. If the caracal does not return to the kill and the carcase starts rotting, the trap must be removed as the bait will attract non-target animals which could be captured.
Blind set
The blind set is the least selective, but is very effective in some
cases. No bait or scent is used - the trap is simply set in a path
used by the caracal. Prepare the trap-site by clearing and levelling
it. This set should only be used where only one travelway exists in
the immediate vicinity of the trap-site: the caracal is thus
compelled to pass through the trap. Useful sites are on paths running
through dense thickets (Fig. 6).
Note: Change trapping strategies regularly in areas where trapping
success is low.
Handling of caracals captured in cage traps
Captured caracals are pinned down on the floor of the cage or pressed against the side of the cage trap. This is done by inserting two or three sticks through the wire mesh and manipulating the animal until it is in position. Press firmly against the caracal to restrain it before injecting it with a suitable drug (see Chemical Capture of Carnivores, this Section).
Do not
The use of foot-hold traps to capture caracals
Precautions
Prevent severe injury of trapped caracals.
Prevent injuries to handlers.
Technique
Avoidance of traps appears not to be as obvious in caracals as it is
in black-backed jackals. However, prescribed guidelines to capture
caracals should still be followed, as uncertainty exists about
avoidance learning in caracal. Special attention should be paid to
the aspects listed below.
Materials and preparation
See Foot-hold Traps, Section A2. Use no. 4 coil spring traps. Use only drag-type anchors when trapping caracals with foot-hold traps because larger adults escape from padded traps secured to pegs. The drag should weigh approximately 2 kg.
Attractants See Foot-hold Traps, Section A2.
Olfactory attractants
Lures or baits are placed approximately 250-300 mm from the trap pan at the opposite side of the probable approach route of the target animal to the trap. The target animal's probable line of approach should be across the trap. In most cases caracals approach the lure at an angle.
Visual attractants
Felids are attracted by feathers (e.g., black and white feathers tied to a branch of a bush with a piece of string) hung 0,5 to 1,2 m from the ground at the opposite side to the target animal's approach route to the trap5 (see Fig. 1, Physical Capture of the Black-backed Jackal, this Section). One or two traps are placed in the approach route(s) to the attractants. These attractants can also be used in combination with olfactory attractants for better capture results.
Auditory attractants
The squeaker is placed in a tree in the immediate environment of the traps (see Fig. 3, Physical Capture of the Black-backed Jackal, this Section), whilst traps with lures are placed out along approach routes approximately 20-50 m from the sound-producing source (Boddicker, pers. comm.). This technique can be varied by placing the squeaker on top of a bush with the trap and lure at the side of the bush (Fig. 8). Place the device at the side opposite to the caracal's approach to the set trap (with lure), with the trap placed in the approach route (Fig. 8).
Sets
Caracals tend to avoid stepping on objects present on otherwise clear
ground. Place small objects, such as sticks and stones, strategically
around the set trap to encourage the target animal to step onto the
clear area over the pan of the trap (Fig. 9).
Single or double sets are usually used in capture operations. The
following sets are commonly used for trapping caracals.
Scented sets
This is the most selective technique when natural lures are used, but in most cases is less effective than blind sets. However, it still produces good results (see pp282-283, and Figs 4 & 5.
Baited sets
This technique is less selective than the scented set, and less
effective than the blind set, in most cases. Felids are not usually
attracted to rotten carrion. However, carcases of caracal kills may
be used to attract the target animal to the trap in certain areas,
whilst in other areas caracals appear not to return to kills.
The hanging bait set (adapted from Boddicker5). This set consists of
a dead rabbit or chicken hung from a branch of a tree (1,2 m above
ground) with one or two traps directly under it (Fig. 10). Branches
are placed at both sides of the set to act as guides: these, together
with guide-sticks and positioning of the bait, direct the caracal
onto the trap pan.
The 'kraal' set (Fig. 11).
Build a small enclosure with branches
(preferably with thorns) around the carcase of a fresh caracal kill6.
Alternatively, conceal the kill in a barricade constructed of poles
and other plant material. Leave only one entrance, and place the trap
in the entrance. Caracals sometimes return to their kills and may
occasionally be captured in this way. However, if the caracal does
not return to the kill and the carcase starts to decompose, the trap
must be removed as the bait will attract non-target animals which
could be captured and injured.
Blind sets
The blind set is least selective, but is very effective in some
cases7. No bait or scent is used: the trap is merely set in paths
used by the caracal (see Fig. 7, Physical Capture of the Black-backed
Jackal, this Section).
Note: change trapping strategies regularly in areas where trapping
success is low.
Handling caracals captured in foot-hold traps
No effort should be made to physically restrain a caracal in a foot-hold trap. The animal should be darted with an immobilizing drug from a few metres away (see Chemical Capture of Carnivores, this Section).