Rupert to prance with the butterflies
2008-09-11
Lise Beyers
THE animal sanctuary Butterfly World in Klapmuts has become home to another furry friend, who narrowly escaped death on Paarl Mountain. Stepping into the home of curator Cam Newton, one doesn’t expect to be pounced on by a three-month-old lynx. But for the pint-sized lynx it is a term of endearment, as well as an attempt to win a new playmate. When Rupert arrived at Butterfly World, he was a ball of fur, skin and bone. According to reports, Rupert was one of three lynx cubs who had roamed Paarl Mountain with their mother. “We had heard that a farmer in the Agter-Paarl area had shot the mother,” says Cam. “The three cubs were then rescued by a farm worker and they eventually landed up at Cheetah Outreach at Spier. Unfortunately they were not able to save the other two cubs. “From here he was taken to Giraffe House, but they passed him on to us.” Cam immediately took charge in hand-rearing the little one which was at that stage in quite a weak condition. But within days he started to flourish. Rupert has made himself at home in the Newton residence, together with three domestic cats. At three months he is already larger than the full grown cats and what distinguishes him from them is his characteristic large, pointy ears and markings on his face. His fur is rough and his paws are large. And when he play-fights with you, you immediately know that these are not the teeth of a young domestic kitten. While this insatiable bundle of energy prances around, playing with anything that he can get hold of, the other cats casually lounge around, keeping a beady eye on him. And if his antics become too wild, they strike back to show him who's boss. The lynx, otherwise known as a caracal or rooikat, is unfortunately a firm enemy of livestock farmers. When fully grown they stand approximately 45 cm from shoulder to paw and weigh between 11 and 17 kg. They are known to be able to kill prey much larger than themselves, and in the Karoo, sheep and goats are easy prey for these cats. But says Cam, this isn’t the Karoo, and livestock farming around Paarl Mountain is minimal. “In any cae, Paarl Mountain is a nature reserve and farmers in the area are thus obliged to take proper precautions to keep their properties fenced from animals that may roam on the mountain. “We are really blessed to still have wild animals such as the lynx in our surrounds, but for how much longer, if individuals feel the need to kill them?” Once Rupert gets to a size were he can no longer be accommodated in Cam’s home, he will be hous- ed in a special enclosure at Butterfly World for the rest of his days. “I firmly believe that with dedication, wild cats can be released into the wild. But in Rupert’s case, it will be a matter of leading him to his death if he is released on Paarl Mountain.”
More
News
|
