Folks looking to up their cuteness quota over the weekend can head to the Oregon Zoo for a look at these fast-growing caracal kittens.
Keepers warn us that the 6-week-old caracals can be hard to spot as they’re elusive by nature. While they warn that even full-grown cats can be hard to find, they suggest searching for the kittens’ mother, Peggy, as her wispy-eared babies tend to always remain near to her babies.
Keepers added the best time to see the pair is when they’re released is around 10 a.m.
The kittens — Nandi (male) and Nisha (female) — weigh about 2 to 3 pounds, slightly larger than domestic kittens. Caracals generally live in the woodlands and savannas of North Africa, Southwest Asia and the Arabian Peninsula
“Peggy’s been an excellent and very attentive mother,” Foster said, going on to mention the kittens’ “chirping” sound when they want their mother.
“When her little ones call,” she said, “she comes right away to check on them.”
The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. It is located in Portland off U.S. 26 at 4001 S.W. Canyon Road.
Admission is $11.50 (ages 12-64), $10 for seniors (65 and older), $8.50 for children (ages 3-11) and free for those 2 and younger. Call 503-226-1561 for information.
- Laura Gunderson
lgunderson@oregonian.com
503-221-8378; @lgunderson