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Exotic cat on the loose in Chicago suburb captured, homeowner speaks out

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Updated  October 15, 2024 5:42pm CDT
Hoffman Estates
FOX 32 Chicago

Suburban homeowners where exotic cat was captured describe moment animal was spotted

The search for an exotic cat in Chicago's northwest suburbs has come to an end.

The Brief

    • An exotic caracal spotted in Hoffman Estates was safely captured after hiding under a resident's deck, though its origin remains unknown.
    • The animal will be taken to a Wisconsin sanctuary where it will live in safety, as concerns grow over the legality and ethics of owning such wild animals.
    • Animal rights activists believe the caracal may have been trafficked and are advocating for stronger laws to prevent exotic animal ownership in Illinois.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - The search for an exotic cat in Chicago's northwest suburbs has come to an end.

"The cat was hiding under a resident's deck and is unharmed. The Valley of the Kings Sanctuary and Retreat located in Sharon Wisconsin is enroute to pick him up where we are sure he will have a healthy and happy life far away from Hoffman Estates," the Hoffman Estates Police Department said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

Police said it is still unknown where the animal came from.

The animal in question, a caracal native to Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, was spotted last week in Hoffman Estates, prompting concern from police and animal rights groups.

The caracal, which can weigh up to 45 pounds and is known for its extreme athleticism, was first spotted in a subdivision near Foltz Drive and most recently seen in the area of Della Drive and Hilldale Golf Course. The Hoffman Estates Police Department issued a notice to the community on Monday, stating it is unknown where the animal came from and stressing that it is an internationally protected endangered species.

Exotic cat on the loose in Chicago suburb

If youre in Chicagos northwest suburbs, you had better keep your eyes peeled.

Jodie Wiederkehr, from the Chicago Alliance for Animals, believes the caracal may have been someone's pet purchased on the black market.

"They likely are stuck inside a home or inside a cage. So they cannot roam. They cannot do anything that comes natural to them," she said.

While caracals are not illegal to own in Illinois, House Bill 4446, currently pending in the state legislature, could change that.

Wiederkehr is urging people not to buy trafficked animals.

"It's in a lot of danger," Wiederkehr said. "The animal may have been dumped. Who knows how this animal is out running free. But the animal needs to be saved and allowed to go to a sanctuary."

Caracals are known for their ability to leap up to 12 feet to catch prey and can run at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. They will consume small to medium-sized mammals.