‘We ask that members of the public exercise patience during this time. The City hopes to trap the caracal, collar the animal with a radio tracking device and to move it away from the penguin colony, but still within its current home range. Cordoning off the area will also help us to deploy other passive mitigation measures to discourage the return of the caracal to the Burghers Walk to Froggy Pond area,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Councillor Johan van der Merwe.

  

The City will continue with the ongoing monitoring of the area by means of camera traps and foot patrols and will provide members of the public with more information as the project progresses.

 

Natural predation by an indigenous animal is considered part of the natural patterns and processes in the ecosystem and the prey is not favoured above the predator. However, when a particular predator starts changing normal predation behaviour and kills multiple individuals, and more than what is required for feeding, there is cause for concern. The situation is exacerbated if the prey species is listed as endangered and the number and frequency of the kills become unsustainable for the population. 

Management authorities are then placed in a difficult position and must consider the most viable and best option for the ecosystem as a whole.

 

‘Although the City welcomes the confirmation of the presence of this naturally occurring predator on our coastline, the African penguin population is under threat and, as such, every breeding pair counts towards the future of the species. This matter requires a sensitive and balanced approach and we thank residents and members of the public in advance for their support,’ said Councillor Van der Merwe.

End