Black Footed Ghost

Ah, little wonder, Felis nigripes, the Black Footed Cat or Small Spotted Cat. It’s not every day that you see or even expect to see one the rarest IUCN Red List species there is. We were lucky enough to ‘spot’ one the other night when, setting out after watching the sun set, Michelle called me on the radio. Knowing that I was nearby, and knowing that these little guys don’t hang around, she excitedly told me that Qondani had seen one. I naturally rushed over as I had never before seen a Black Footed Cat. You can imagine my disappointment when we got there only to be told, “Oh, you just missed it. It was here, I promise you”. Michelle set off and my guests and I stayed around to discuss this little creature and lament at our near sighting. Just as we got going, Andy picked up some little eyes peering at us through a clump of Karoo bossies. I never imagined how gorgeous such a little predator could be. Once again it didn’t stay for one of the photo shoots that warthogs seem to revel in, instead like the morning Winter mist, it vanished. It made my night. Now I drive past the area whenever I can, hoping to catch another glimpse of this ghost.

Posted: Kwandwe by Toast Seagers, Date: 29 July 2008