IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Avenant, N.L.; de Waal, H.O. | |
| Incorporating Caracal Feeding and Ranging Behaviour in the Management of this Damage-Causing Carnivore | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Despite its wide distribution, importance as a medium-sized predator and notoriety as a stock raider, little is known on the use of prey and space of caracal _Caracal caracal_. This applies not only to pristine or conserved areas, but also to farming areas where caracal can be the major predator on small stock, and can cause substantial losses. We have studied the prey use, density, territorial behaviour and short term use of space of caracal in a conservation and a small stock farming area in relation to prey available. The results obtained can be used as a baseline against which to gauge the effect of caracal depredation on small stock in farming areas where its natural prey base is depauperate. Our contribution furthermore gives a summary of studies conducted by the authors relevant to the control of this damage-causing predator. The abovementioned studies have contributed to a holistic research programme that aims to improve methods and procedures to manage caracal, reduce the financial impact on the livestock industry, and address the issue of biodiversity/ecosystem conservation in livestock areas. Subsections of the programme are further explored, highlighting opportunities for collaboration within and between a number of research fields. |
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