A wild caracal, a large cat native to Africa and Asia, was captured in the suburbs of Chicago after roaming for almost a week. The caracal was cornered under a deck of a home in Hoffman Estates, about 30 miles northwest of Chicago, and was picked up by the Valley of the Kings animal sanctuary in Wisconsin. The caracal was first spotted near a golf course and was later found in suburban yards by residents.
Caracals are known for their reddish tan fur and distinctive elongated ears. They are native to Africa, the Arabian peninsula, and parts of northwest India. Despite being large and acrobatic animals, ownership of caracals is legal in some states, including Illinois. However, a bill introduced in the Illinois General Assembly aims to make caracal ownership illegal.
In 2021, a Michigan woman was ordered to give up ownership of four caracals after they escaped from their enclosure. In 2019, a caracal in Bloomington, Illinois, was killed after attacking a dog. The origins of the captured caracal in Chicago remain a mystery, but efforts are being made to ensure its safety and rehabilitation by animal sanctuary experts.
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