A caracal, a large wild cat native to Africa and Asia, was captured after roaming through the suburbs of Chicago for almost a week. The cat was cornered under a deck of a home in Hoffman Estates and picked up by the Valley of the Kings animal sanctuary in Wisconsin for rehabilitation. The caracal was first spotted near a golf course and in suburban yards, causing concern among residents.
Caracals are known for their reddish, tan fur and distinctive ear tufts, and can be found in various regions from Africa to the Arabian peninsula to parts of India. Despite their large size and acrobatic nature, owning a caracal is legal in some states, including Illinois. However, a bill introduced in the Illinois General Assembly in April aims to make caracal ownership illegal.
In recent years, there have been incidents involving caracals in the United States, such as a Michigan woman ordered to give up ownership of four caracals after they escaped from an enclosure. In Bloomington, Illinois, a caracal was killed after attacking a dog in 2019. The capture of the caracal in the Chicago suburbs highlights the challenges of exotic pet ownership and the need for stricter regulations.
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