Unfortunately we are not aware of anyone studying wild caracals in Morocco, so cannot advise where to report your sightings. The World Conservation Union considers them rare in North Africa, but Morocco may have their own listing, and may be interested in reports of their presence. The best way to conserve the caracal – and any wild cat for that matter – is to ensure they have adequate safe habitat and enough prey animals to hunt.

We tried to reply to you directly regarding your comment, but the email came back as ‘not found.’ Our reply is below in case other people have similar instances with small wild cats.

One of our directors has researched your property on Google Earth. It seems that the golf resort is blocked on the west side by the Atlantic Ocean, and situated between two wildlife conservation areas north and south and open semi-agricultural areas east. The fauna and flora within Wildlife conservation areas are generally protected; this being the very reason for their existence.

Relocation of a particular caracal is problematic. Caracals are extremely athletic, males have an extensive range and as nature abhors a vacuum. Even if relocation were successful another caracal would soon fill the spot. Those conservation areas and open country pretty much guarantee it.

While the fence will help keep some predators e.g. jackals away it won’t stop anything coming in through the entrance roads. Even if those gates are closed it won’t stop a caracal if there is a food attraction like domestic cats inside. Caracals are the kings of vertical jumping and can easily jump 3 meters/ 10 feet.

We are confused by reports of dead cats with bite marks that are thought to be those of a caracal. Who identified the predator, and how did they establish what it was? Any wild predator hunting prey will eat it – if only because if they don’t then something else will come along and finish it off for them. A dead cat uneaten seems more likely the victim of a domestic or feral dog attack.

There has never been a recorded instance of caracals attacking humans. You stated you ‘don’t know enough about this animal to predict its behavior’. We suggest you contact the Urban Caracal Project’s Laurel Klein Serieys, Ph.D for local knowledge and advice. You might also contact the Cape Nature Authority.

You moved into their territory, where they’ve been living for thousands of years. By leaving your cats out at night you are providing a very handy food source for any predator. Remove the food source – keep your cats and small dogs in at night – and both the people and the predators can live in harmony.

Most provinces have laws prohibiting the ownership of exotic animals, including the Caracal. They are wild cats not pets.

Thank You Pat you helped me a lot today!