Hantara
HISTORY
Caracal Hantara and female caracal Sorcha were both rescued along with servals Reina and Goya, during a recent New York seizure by the World Animal Protection Organization and six law enforcement agencies.
Unfortunately, both caracals and African servals are sold through the exotic pet trade and often surrendered by their owners or residing in substandard conditions. Most private owners are ill equipped to provide the housing, diet and veterinary care they require.
Hantara, had to remain in isolation for several weeks while being treated for both Coccidiosis and Giardia – common parasites that can occur in wild cats and can cross over to domestic cats.
Both Hantara and Sorcha were housed with servals Reina and Goya and now all four now enjoy playing together and sharing their 5,000 sq-ft habitat.
ABOUT AFRICAN CARACALS
Caracals are medium size wild cats native to the dryer areas of Africa, Asia and India. They have very distinctive long tufted ears and reddish/tan coats. Like the African Servals, they have strong long back legs allowing them to jump over ten feet to catch birds, but small rodents and mammals are their primary source of food. Caracals generally live no more than twelve years in the wild but can live as long as seventeen years in captivity. Caracal vocalizations include purring and hissing but can sound also like a leopard when distressed. Caracals will twitch their tufted ears as a means of communicating to fellow caracals.