Wild and Free gives caracals another chance

The centre was assisted by its sponsors, the MTPA, some veterinarians and volunteers.

These three caracal kittens, each three weeks old, were brought to Wild and Free more than a year ago after the centre was contacted by a farmer of Volksrust who was looking for help. She explained to the members at the rehab that she had found the kittens in a den and that the mother had been killed nearby.

A volunteer at the rehab, Ed Doubel, wasted no time and rushed over to retrieve the kittens the next day. Many people were interested in these animals and went out of their way to help the veterinarian, Dr Peet Venter, and Deidré Joubert, the director of Wild and Free, take care of the animals. The male was named Ingwe and the two females Elize and Eloise.

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According to Joubert, many people were involved in raising these animals. The primary sponsors were Elize Styer of Ingwe Shopping Centre. She donated their food and one tracking collar. Richard and Geoff Williams of Tonga Nkukhu donated chicks for feeding as they were growing up. The Aspinall Foundation donated two tracking collars, paid the veterinary expenses and supplied vitamin supplements the caracals needed to be given daily.

Fourteen months have passed since their arrival, and it was time to slowly release them back into the wild. On Sunday the veterinarians, volunteers and members of the MTPA tagged and fitted the caracals with tracking collars. DNA samples were also taken, and they were sprayed for fleas and ticks. The caracals’ weight and measurements were taken for research purposes.

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The manager of the Nkomazi Conservation, Velly Makwakwa, Chris Hobkirk and Gerrie Camacho of the MTPA, wildlife veterinarians Dr Chris Smit and Louis van Wyk, Dr Peet Venter and the Aspinall Foundation, along with Styer and all the dedicated volunteers, helped with the big move.

According to Joubert, a soft release is the very last phase of release. The big move was crucial to these animals, and this project had help from high above. “The purpose of this is to make the animals used to the new environment, the different sights, sounds and smells. We still provide them with well-balanced meals every day.

After a certain period, the gate to that enclosure is opened, allowing them to come and go as they please,” said Joubert.

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