On a lively August morning in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, a dock worker’s routine bathroom break took a wild turn. As he swung open the restroom door, he was met with a sight that left him stunned: a large, light-brown furred creature was nestled under the toilet.
Image source: ARNOLD SLABBERT
A closer look and a distinctive growl revealed the intruder’s identity – a caracal. The alarmed worker quickly sought help, reaching out to Arnold Slabbert of Wildline and the Urban Raptor Project.
Slabbert, experienced in urban wildlife rescues, was taken aback. The bustling port, with its massive ships and containers, seemed an unlikely spot for a caracal. “It’s a miracle she wasn’t harmed navigating this active port,” Slabbert remarked to The Dodo.
Image source: ARNOLD SLABBERT
Piecing together the puzzle, Slabbert speculated that the caracal might have been displaced by illegal hunters. The restroom’s emptiness the previous night added to the mystery of her sudden appearance.
Image source: ARNOLD SLABBERT
With determination, Slabbert and his colleague, Jaci Mizen Neale-Shutte, formulated a rescue strategy. The disoriented caracal was apprehensive, growling in confusion and fear. Yet, with patience, the duo managed to safely secure her.
In under half an hour, the team transported the caracal to the serene landscapes of Port of Ngqura. As they opened her cage, she hesitated briefly before dashing out, her joyous screech echoing her gratitude.
Image source: ARNOLD SLABBERT
While Slabbert continues his remarkable rescue missions, he fondly hopes that the caracal thrives in her new home, far from the hustle of the port’s restroom.
H/T: The dodo