Small Cats, Big City: What We've Learnt from a Decade of Caracal Research

A majestic caracal elegantly navigates a trail, set against the verdant backdrop of Cape Town. (Photo credit: Jacqueline Bishop)

Associate Professor Jacqueline Bishop of the Urban Caracal Project is scheduled to give a presentation at the Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club (Old Harbour) on Thursday, 23 October, at 18:30.

Worldwide, urban development is having a growing impact on wildlife populations, yet certain species show remarkable adaptability to city environments. A notable example is the caracals in Cape Town. For the past ten years, the Urban Caracal Project has employed a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate how these elusive cats manoeuvre through urban areas, the hidden dangers they encounter, and the survival strategies they use to coexist with humans. Bishop will present key discoveries, discuss the challenges wildlife face in urban settings, and emphasise the significance of public involvement in caracal research.

Jacqueline Bishop is an evolutionary ecologist and conservation biologist with a keen interest in understanding how wildlife adapts to changes caused by humans in both natural and altered environments. Her research covers a diverse array of species throughout southern Africa, including elephants, leopards, penguins, and bats, and has recently expanded to include studies on dingoes in Australia. She integrates animal behaviour, ecology, health, and evolutionary genetics to tackle urgent conservation issues.

Tickets cost R125. It is necessary to book in advance because seating is limited. There will be bar and restaurant services available. You can make reservations by emailing smalltalx.info@gmail.com, sending a WhatsApp message to 0764696485, or visiting www.smalltalx.info online.