Genet Cat hunting in Zimbabwe

Genet Cats are a nocturnal mongoose-like species. Their colouring is greyish-white with black or rusty coloured spots on the body and black rings on the tail. Two species of Genet occur in Zimbabwe. The Small-spotted Genet has smaller spots and a white tip to its tail compared to the Large-spotted Genet with similar colouring larger spots and a black tip to the end of its tail. The Small-spotted genet is found predominantly in the central, western and southern regions of the country and is absent from the Zambezi Valley and the Eastern Highlands. The Large-spotted Genet is widely distributed over the country excluding the dry south-western Tuli region. Hunters are not normally particularly phased by whichever species they shoot. They feed at night on small mammals, rodents and birds. They are equally at home in the trees or on the ground. Where night hunting is permitted, they can be easily spotted by using a spotlight. Their eyes reflect brightly in the light and in some instances may be attracted (called) by making squeaking noises. They are voracious killers and cause great damage when getting into a chicken coop and are killed on-site by community members when found around their homesteads for this reason. Their skins and tails are often used in traditional ceremonial headdresses and other garments. Classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN, no special export permits are required.