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We live on an increasingly urban planet. More than half of all people live in urban areas, and urbanisation is a major threat to biodiversity globally. However, cities can still support permanent wildlife communities. Cities offer rich sources of food, and if a species is a risk-taker they can thrive in these highly transformed and challenging landscapes and become an “urban adaptor”. Managing wildlife today requires looking beyond formally protected areas, which only comprise 8% of land area in South Africa. Understanding how species adapt to living in and around urban areas is an important part of planning for future biodiversity conservation.

In Cape Town, the caracal is the largest remaining predator. Caracals are extremely adaptable, obligate carnivores and, on the Cape Peninsula, they exploit prey species that are associated with humans, such as Guinea fowl and Egyptian geese. While caracals tend to use areas on the periphery of the city, they will  take advantage of the increased hunting opportunities afforded to them within the urban footprint. Our analysis of their diet reveals that they focus mostly on native species but will opportunistically incorporate domestic and introduced species. Although this generalist diet facilitates living closely with humans, we discovered that they can adjust their hunting strategies to take advantage of prey while minimising risks.

Caracals on the edge: caracals on the Cape Peninsula prefer lower lying, productive areas. Spending time in these areas expose them to many threats including vehicle collisions and poisons. Vehicle collisions are the number 1 cause of mortality for caracal on the Cape Peninsula. Photo by Jay Caboz

Wildlife generally avoids areas of high human presence. Globally, research has shown that large carnivores living near cities tend to be more active at night when there are fewer people around, and that they feed for a shorter time or abandon kills altogether if they perceive humans approaching. Humans therefore create a “landscape of fear”, where we are perceived as an “apex predator” that should be avoided at all costs – including the high cost of losing a hard-won meal. But is this true for smaller, more secretive predators like caracal?

Adult male caracal, named Hermes, on the mountain above Green Point stadium. Photo by Yvonne Tromp.

In our research we used GPS collar data to calculate the home range of each of our study’s collared caracal and to identify caracal feeding sites across the Cape Peninsula. These areas were later searched for evidence of prey species. We also collected scats wherever encountered to analyse diet items and identify additional feeding sites. Statistical models were then used to better understand caracal foraging habitat selection. To do this we first quantified the selection (or avoidance) of specific landscape features within each caracal home range, such as land-use type, elevation, level of vegetative cover, distance from urban edge or distance from a wetland. Our results revealed that caracals prefer foraging at the urban edge. Moreover, if the urban edge falls along a vineyard, or an open space like a golf course or sports field, it is the most attractive to a hunting caracal. For habituated “urban caracals” our analysis of the GPS collar data revealed something unexpected: once a kill is made, rather than retreat and risk losing their meal, caracals select to sit tight. We found that when closer to urban areas, individuals move off their kill less frequently than in more natural areas, especially when vegetative cover was available, even in broad daylight when the risk was highest. Remaining hidden at a kill site is a good strategy for saving energy, but it does mean increased exposure to potential dangers. Nevertheless, the ability to remain unseen may be the primary explanation for their continued presence on the Cape Peninsula.

Caracal at Millers Point. Photo by John Hishin.

Caracal on the stairs at Smitswinkel Bay. Photo by Anya Adendorff.

When we compared “urban caracals” to our findings for caracal living in the less developed areas of the southern Peninsula, we discovered that they avoid urban areas and prefer to hunt seabirds along the coast, only moving closer to urban areas at night when the risk is lower. Interestingly, we found that as a caracal is more exposed to urbanisation in its home range, the more likely it is to choose to hunt closer to urban areas. This difference between “urban” and “wildland” caracals is likely explained by habituation, highlighting the extraordinary ability to alter their behaviour depending on their environment.

While caracals appear to be adapting to life in the city, they may unwittingly be drawn closer to risks. Hunting on the urban edge requires caracals to cross many roads. Consequently, we’ve found that vehicle collisions are the main cause of death on the Peninsula. However, we have also identified other, less obvious threats. Exposure to rat poisons and toxic chemicals, such as DDT and PCBs, through their prey, is a major concern. Habitats that appear to be good foraging areas may be particularly toxic to caracals. For example, the vineyards and wetlands that caracals select to hunt in are associated with increased levels of exposure to these pollutants.

How can these findings contribute to the conservation of this important species? Caracals prefer the urban edge at lower elevations where productivity and prey abundance is likely higher. Maintaining connectivity among foraging sites, particularly at lower elevation where development pressure is highest, is vital for the persistence of caracals. Protecting and restoring fynbos vegetation for foraging is key, as natural areas adjacent to the urban edge are preferred and native prey species are most commonly consumed. Caracals avoid pine plantations, and while they do select for vineyards, these are linked with poison exposure. Maintaining natural vegetation cover, even in transformed areas, may promote caracal foraging, and provide places to hide, feed and rest.

Caracal around the city of Cape Town prefer to forage at the urban edge, especially if the urban edge abuts an open space such as a golf course or sports field. Rather than abandon a kill, “urban” caracals prefer to remain hidden close by. Maintaining open corridors of natural vegetation among preferred forage sites are important for persistence of caracal on the Cape Peninsula. Photo by Luke Nelson

This article was written by Gabriella Leighton and Deborah Winterton and originally published in the 2021/2022 Research Report.