Genet killed on Modderfontein Road

“There is a dead genet near the Inyoni Creek entrance gate.”

This was the message that environmentalist Ms Ria Milburn received on Friday, October 10, from wildlife enthusiast and photographer Mr Willie Milford, who lives in a nearby suburb.

Sure enough, a few metres from the traffic lights at the busy intersection, was the body of a small-spotted genet, also known as a Kleinkolmuskejaatkat.

Sadly, it had been struck by a vehicle.

“This unusual sighting is yet another reminder that we are living in a very special place,” said Ms Milburn, who is a resident of Rand Aid Association’s Inyoni Creek retirement village.

There are two species of genets in southern Africa and although their ranges overlap in some areas, the large-spotted genet (Genetta tigrina) prefers the wetter areas on the eastern side of southern Africa, while the small-spotted genet has a much wider range.

Genets are nocturnal, solitary hunters but on rare occasions, pairs do hunt together.

During the day, they usually sleep in holes in the ground made by other animals, or on rocky outcrops and sometimes even in holes in tree trunks.

Genets make their appearance only after the sun has set and although they are generally seen foraging on the ground, they do climb trees in order to get to the nests of birds or to reach insects. The small-spotted genet has a varied diet that consists of birds, rodents, frogs, reptiles, spiders, insects, fruit and even carrion.

“Unfortunately, these little hunters have not endeared themselves to poultry farmers because they also love chickens. The variety of food sources confirms the usefulness of the small-spotted genet not only in nature, but also to us as residents, especially with regards to rodents and moles,” said Ms Milburn.

“When cornered, the small-spotted genet can put on quite a ferocious display, spitting, growling and releasing a pungent, unpleasant odour from the anal glands,” she added.