Soft release of three caracals successful in Marloth Park

These caracals were kept in a soft-release enclosure for two months to get use to the new environment.

The centre was assisted by its sponsors, the MTPA, the foundation, veterinarians and volunteers. The three caracals were brought to Wild and Free more than a year ago after the centre was contacted by a farmer of Volksrust.

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She explained to the members at the rehab centre 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.

The male was named Ingwe and the two females Elize and Eloise.  According to the director of Wild and Free, Deidré Joubert, many people were involved in raising these animals as they all felt responsible for the future of the cats.

Sixteen months have passed since their arrival and it was time to slowly release them back into the wild.  According to Joubert, a soft release is the very last phase of release.

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The big move was crucial to these animals and this project had help from high above.

“The purpose of this was 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. The gate to the enclosure was opened, allowing them to come and go as they please,” said Joubert.

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