Caracal

23/04/2026

The Hidden World of the Bush Baby: Africa’s Nocturnal Acrobat 🌙

In the quiet stillness of the African night, when most of the wilderness appears at rest, a remarkable primate emerges the bush baby, scientifically known as Galago. Despite its small size, this creature represents a fascinating intersection of evolutionary adaptation, sensory specialization, and ecological importance.

Bush babies are nocturnal primates, meaning their lives unfold almost entirely after sunset. Their large, forward-facing eyes are not just adorable they are a biological adaptation that enhances night vision, allowing them to navigate dense forests and detect prey in low-light conditions. Complementing this is their highly developed sense of hearing; their mobile, bat-like ears can independently rotate to locate the faintest sounds, from insects to distant movement.

One of the most striking features of the bush baby is its extraordinary jumping ability. Using powerful hind limbs, it can leap distances of up to 2 meters between branches. This locomotion style, known as vertical clinging and leaping, is a key survival mechanism, enabling both efficient foraging and rapid escape from predators.

From an ecological perspective, bush babies play a subtle yet vital role. Their diet consisting of insects, fruits, and tree gums positions them as both pest controllers and seed dispersers, contributing to the health and regeneration of their ecosystems. This highlights a broader principle in ecology: even the smallest species can have disproportionate importance in maintaining environmental balance.

Interestingly, the name “bush baby” is derived from their distinctive calls, which resemble the cries of a human infant. These vocalizations serve communicative functions, including territory marking and social interaction, illustrating the complexity of their behavioral systems.

In conclusion, the bush baby is far more than a charming nocturnal creature. It is a testament to evolutionary ingenuity and ecological interdependence. By understanding and appreciating such species, we are reminded of the intricate networks that sustain life and the importance of conserving them

11/12/2025

Reintroduction of an African Wildcat (Felis lybica)

Last week we released our African wildcat (Felis lybica) back into its natural habitat. This kitten was brought in after an incident at the airport where it was accidentally caught by a lawnmower. Officers from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) retrieved him and brought him in for medical intervention.

On arrival, he presented with trauma-related injuries that required suturing and close postoperative care. After stabilisation, he underwent a structured husbandry and rehabilitation programme focused on minimising human imprinting, encouraging natural behaviours, and developing survival skills consistent with those of wild conspecifics.

Having now achieved full physical recovery, appropriate behavioural development, and natural hunting responsiveness, he was assessed as ready for release. His successful reintroduction contributes to long-term conservation efforts for native small carnivores and supports the ecological balance of the ecosystem.

We extend our gratitude to DWNP for their continued collaboration, which remains essential in the rescue, rehabilitation, and safe release of Botswana’s wildlife.

02/12/2025

We admitted an orphaned Lesser Bushbaby (Galago moholi) following a severe storm event. The infant was found alone, dehydrated, and unable to regulate its body temperature a common challenge for small nocturnal primates exposed to sudden weather disturbances. Our team is currently providing round-the-clock care, including thermal support, hydration, and an appropriate primate milk-replacement formula to stabilize the juvenile.

From an ecological perspective, the Lesser Bushbaby plays a significant role in insect population control, seed dispersal, and acacia gum foraging dynamics within savanna woodland ecosystems. Their enlarged eyes allow for exceptional nocturnal vision, while their powerful hind limbs enable rapid vertical movement, making them one of the most agile small primates in southern Africa. Understanding their biology and behavior is essential for effective rehabilitation and release planning.

Our work with this young galago and all wildlife under our care is conducted in close partnership with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), ensuring that every intervention aligns with national conservation guidelines and long-term species protection.

21/10/2025

🦅 George’s Marvellous Journey Continues

George, our released Lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos), is demonstrating the extraordinary stamina and endurance these birds have. Since surviving pesticide poisoning and being released, George has already travelled over 1,300 km across Botswana’s vast landscapes.
Tracking data from George’s GPS unit is helping us understand how rehabilitated vultures move, feed, and survive after returning to the wild. These insights are vital for improving rehabilitation, identifying high-risk areas for poisoning, and supporting regional conservation planning.
Vultures are extraordinary. Among vertebrates, vultures are natures only obligate scavengers. They clean up carcasses, reducing the spread of diseases such as anthrax and rabies. Each bird like George plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance we depend on.

This project is led by CARACAL in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP)

08/10/2025

Our Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos), George, has been released back into the wild following successful rehabilitation after a pesticide poisoning incident. Fitted with a GPS tracker, George will now help us collect valuable data on movement, survival, and post-release adaptation—information that is essential for improving conservation strategies for this Critically Endangered species.

Poisoning remains the greatest threat to vultures across Botswana and much of Africa. Carcasses laced with agricultural pesticides are often intended to target predators; however, scientific evidence shows these poisons rarely affect the intended species. Instead, they result in the dramatic declines in vultures, who rarely survive the poison. Without vultures, carcasses persist longer in the landscape, increasing the risk of zoonotic and livestock diseases such as anthrax, rabies, and botulism.

Through monitoring birds like George, we can better understand how rehabilitated vultures reintegrate into wild populations and evaluate interventions that reduce mortality. Each individual released contributes directly to the recovery of Africa’s rapidly declining vulture populations.

We would like to extend out thanks to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) for their ongoing support and to Abednico Macheme and the Wild4Life International team for their vital assistance in George’s rescue and recovery.

🇧🇼 Follow CARACAL for updates on George’s incredible journey



Epic Cinematic Adventure Music | ICELAND by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

09/09/2025

We are delighted to have recently welcomed three students to CARACAL as part of their Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) program. Two students joined us from the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), pursuing their BSc in Biodiversity and Conservation, while one student joined us from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), pursuing a degree in Biological Science and Biotechnology.
During their time with us, the students actively participated in a variety of programs central to our mission. These included animal rehabilitation and rescue, where they gained hands-on experience in wildlife care, as well as ongoing disease surveillance studies that contribute to understanding and managing zoonotic risks in our region.
We are proud of their commitment, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. Their contributions not only enriched our work but also reflected the bright future of conservation and research in Botswana. We wish them continued success in their academic and professional journeys.

02/09/2025

07/08/2025

An Exclusive Opportunity to Partner for Impact
CARACAL, a leading conservation and community-focused non-governmental organization based in Kasane, invites expressions of interest (EOI) from visionary investors, tourism operators, developers, conservation entrepreneurs, and strategic partners to co-create world-class tourism facilities in one of Botswana’s prime eco-tourism destinations.

This partnership opportunity centers around Plot 3102 on Airport Road, in the Plateau area of Kasane, near Chobe National Park, the Chobe River, and the Kazungula Bridge a location with unmatched tourism potential.