SANParks.org Forums

Who has seen them in the Parks?

After one of our field reporters, think it was Laine, reported a sighting I wondered how scarce are they?

I saw one once on a bushbraai near Letaba. It was busy hunting when we drove past it. It immediatly ducked and tried to hide from us when it saw us. Maybe that it the reason for not seeing them that often.

They are very difficult to spot because they behave like a feral house cat. Just an interesting aside on this one - if you were to get hold of a baby Afr.WC, would it become like a housecat?

I think I read somewhere No, they cannot be domesticated. However they are in danger of breeding with normal house cats. another reason why house cats and I aren't the very best of friends.

We had these mix-breed cats running all over the area our farm was in - so annoying! As none of us in the area had pet cats (for this very reason) the problem must have gone back quite a number of years.

I have only had a couple of fleeting sightings of actual wildcat (assuming that in the park they aren't interbred with domestic cats) - they don't stick around to pose do they!

Good morning,
We spotted an African Wild cat on a night drive from Mopani a few years ago.
Maybe saw another one in december but as it was during the day I'm really not sure that it was one. It went away very quickly and we didn't have the time to look at him correctly.

African wild cat are fairly common in the park, though I have seen most up north, furthest south (Vutomi, N Tshokwane). If you drive at night alot you'll see many. Good camps I'd say for night drives - Letaba, Mopane, Olifants, Orpen.

Kruger & Kalahari Parks are one of only true bred populations, while I have seen a ginger tabby in parks, like Pilanesberg , suggesting a hybrid population at best persists there.

I have encountered tamed ones, which are similar to domestic cats, though a bit wilder. Since the domestic cat, is very closely related to wild cat, and would have derived come from wilder stock in the not too distant evolutionary past, I am sure they'll become as tame eventually.

regards,
wj

Seen a female with 3 young in 2000 early morning. About 2 km north of Satara on the tar road towards Olifants. The veld was burt down during that time and although they were about 20 meters away was easy to spot against the black of the burnt grass. First and only time I saw them.

Has anyone noticed the resident African Wild Cat in Tamboti Tented Camp? I saw the cat on two occasions (December 2004 and April 2005). Was wondering if the cat is still there.

Hi and Welcome!

I too haven't stayed there but the only wildcat I've seen was in the general area too. Seems they like the central district! Date was end June 2005.

bwana

Saw a mother and 2 kittens in September 2000 about 1 km from Satara on the road towards Olifants. Was auite far from road but due to the burning in the area we had good views of it. The only time ever I saw this animal in all the years visiting the park. Would love a close up view like this.

My sightings of African Wild Cats in KNP:

March 2005 - About 5 km from Balule.
April 2003 - Satara night drive.
October 1999 - Near the power lines north of Punda Maria.

Saw one in Orpen over the easter weekend. We were 3 meters apart and looked at each other for a minute. I knew if I moved to fetch my camera it would bolt, so I just stood there and enjoyed the moment.

Kgalagadi 2001

In December 2003 I met a researcher in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier park who is doing research on African Wild Cats in the area of Leeudril waterhole. I get updates on the progress of her research on a three-monthly basis. If anybody is interested in getting these reports please let me know.

Saw 3 in one night drive from Mopani - about the only mammal we did see that night (note - don't ever go on a night drive with me - I'm not good with the spotlight )

But it was lovely to see them as I hadn't encountered them before or after.