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Large African Cat Captured After Escape in Detroit Suburb

A male caracal cat native to Africa explores his new habitat at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 1, 2011. (Don Ryan File/AP Photo)

ROYAL OAK, Mich.—A large cat native to Africa that escaped from its suburban Detroit home was captured after spending several hours on the lam, according to an animal recovery group.

News of the capture of the caracal came at about 11 p.m. Wednesday when the South Lyon Murphy Lost Animal Recovery posted a video online of the animal, Detroit News reported.

“He was located in a partially fenced back yard where we were able to drop the trap,” the post said.

animal’s escape was first reported to police at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday by a Royal Oak resident who said she discovered that two of her four caracals had walked through an open gate.

One of the caracals was spotted a short time later, caught, and returned to its owner, officials said.

Caracals are classified in a category of animal that isn’t regulated by the state. y prey on rodents, other small mammals and birds. y also are native to the Middle East, Central Asia, and India.

Pezou : Large African Cat Captured After Escape in Detroit Suburb