City asks public to support its effort to capture a caracal in Simon’s Town

20 September 2016

In recent weeks, the City has noted a substantial increase in the level of predation by one or more caracal on the African Penguin colony in the Links Cresent and Froggy Pond areas in Simon’s Town.

In agreement with the Department of Environmental Affairs and CapeNature, the City intervened in order to capture and relocate the animal away from the penguin colony.

Three months ago, the City successfully trapped and moved another caracal, which has not returned. The City suspects that the recent killings are all from one young adult animal that has moved into the area.

"Extensive efforts are being made to capture the caracal over the next two weeks. We therefore ask members of the public for their patience and cooperation during this time.To increase our chances of a successful capture, the City requests that the public and local residents assist with our efforts by noting that from 19 September 2016, the area between Links Crescent, the golf course and Froggy Pond will be closed to the public from 18:00 to 06:00 daily to allow the capture team to work in the area. These times will remain in place until 30 September 2016. We ask that all visitors to the area do not approach, interfere, or move any of the capture equipment that they may come across during the day." Councillor Johan van der Merwe.City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning

All capture methods to be used over the next two weeks are designed for a live capture of the animal so that it can be relocated. The methods are humane and done in terms of a permit issued by CapeNature.

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