The Influence of Land-Use Types on the Population Density of the Leopard (Panthera Pardus) in the Cederberg Mountains, South Africa - Identifying Conflict Hotspots and Core Safe Areas to Conserve a Unique Population By comparing leopard densities between different land-use areas (conservation vs. stock farming vs. game management land), this study will provide the first indication of the suitability of various forms of land-use for leopards in the Cape. The ultimate objective of the research is to furnish the data necessary to alleviate leopard-farmer conflict and foster co-existence between both.
The results of this study, in conjunction with Nicole Martins’ conservation genetic study, should provide the most comprehensive understanding of the conservation status and needs of the leopard in the Cape conducted to date. A map, illustrating leopard densities across different land-uses in the Cederberg, conflict hotspots and key leopard refugia will be produced. This map could then be used to implement better management strategies to protect both the leopards in the area as well as preventing farmer stock losses. Education of farmers in alternative forms of animal husbandry, such as use of Anatolian Shepherd dogs to protect their stock will also be implemented. Results will be submitted as a report to Cape Nature (CN) and for publication in scientific journals.
Finally, with the clarification of its conservation status, we will highlight the leopard as a “flagship” species in the southern and western Cape, using the Cederberg as a high priority conservation area. This will have positive economic spin-offs, such as tourism benefits (as the leopard is considered one of the “Big Five” in Africa) and, as a result, job creation, not only in the Cederberg but the Western Cape Province as a whole.
Project Update: January 2005 We are very pleased to say that this cub has recently been photographed in the Cederberg, along with its mother & possible father(?).
Great news for the Leopards!
Project Update: June 2005 Read about the latest progress of this project in the report below.
Newsletter Read the latest Newsletter from The Cape Leopard Trust below. For up to date information visit their website http://www.capeleopard.org.za or contact the Project Manager capeleopard@hixnet.co.za
Project Update: October 2006 I have some amazing news - Fantastic NEWS!! I have managed to capture and collar our Fourth leopard in the Cederberg on Friday. An adult male weighing 32kg. What a stunning animal!
It was quite a crazy week that led up to this. Rika du Plessis (Cape Nature & trusty CLT supporter), Willem & I set the trap on Tuesday in Boskloof on the western side of the Cederberg. This beautiful property,Karukareb Wilderness Reserve, is linked to the Cederberg wilderness area. The trap was set in a prime leopard area - and as per usual - we did not use any bait. We have almost collared all the adult, territorial males that could possibly occur in the 2000 km2 study area.
On Thursday, after a brilliant and exciting leopard tracking flight with Rooibos tea farmer & Bateleur member Johan Ferreira, I went to set a camera trap in the area where our cage was set. I was horrified to discover that a female leopard had walked into the trap & managed to jump out before the doors had closed. These females have been eluding me for FAR TOO LONG!
On Friday morning I was out hiking on Jannie Niewoudt's farm in the Breekkrans when I was summoned from a distance by Jannie, " Daar is 'n luiperd in die hok!" ( There is a leopard in the cage). Gut wrenching stuff. The sensation, after all the effort put into this project, to get this form of "pay-back"...is indescribable. I called our vet, Dr Andre van der Merwe for his assistance. He cancelled all his appointments & raced out to Karukareb at the same time as Rika, Johan Ferreira & I. The darting & collaring procedure went exceptionally well. Rika is a brilliant assistant in these circumstances & Andre a superb vet. This time it was Johan Ferreira's time to come along for the ride - after all the flights he has taken me on...It was a great day. A day I really wanted to share with all of you!
Project Update: November 2006 I still cannot believe it, and I am sure you won't either - but we collared our 5th leopard yesterday!!!!! This is truely amazing. We caught M9 (he has yet to be adopted and named) on Sakkie Niewoudt's farm, Grootkloof, in the beautiful Cederberg Mountains. Vet, Dr Andre van der Merwe, and Cape Nature's Rika du Plessis were once again there to assist. I cannot thank them enough for everything they have put into this project. It is totally amazing! Sakkie Niewoudt (as are the other Cederberg farmers) has put a lot of effort into working with The Cape Leopard Trust, supporting our work even after having had livestock losses due to leopard. We are currently working hard at finding suitable means to avoid depredation of his goats and cattle. Mike Snethlage (of Flexipave) also happened to be visiting the project yesterday and managed to get to see some of the action. Mike has taken on the construction and sponsorship of all our leopard cage traps since the end of last year. He could now get first-hand experience as to how they work in the field.
M9 weighed in at a heathy 35kg - this on an empty stomach! He is at least 7-8yrs old and in good condition and as you can see from the massive paws - "these feet were made for walking..."
The data from these GPS collars is giving us incredible insight into the lives of these elusive cats that live in the Cederberg and ultimately an understanding of the ecology of leopards throughout the Cape Folded Mountain system.
Project Update: July 2007 On the 15th December 2005, Jannie Nieuwoudt (chairman of the Cederberg Conservancy), several of his employees and I, carried a 2m long, very heavy leopard cage trap a couple of kilometers over some exceptionally rocky terrain, in order to capture M2. I knew very little of this male leopards movements, other than the records from our camera traps and spoor. It appeared he was the territorial male bordering "Johan's" territory on the Southern & Western side.
Little did I know, that it would take one and a half years, and more than 200 trap nights before I finally managed to capture this elusive male leopard - the 8th leopard we have managed to collar since the inception of the project in the Cederberg. The cage trap was situated along the Groot River near the mountain lodge, Mount Ceder. It was Thomas, from Mount Ceder that assisted us in a fantastic way by monitoring the trap for us from the lodge. A VHF transmitter was attached to the cage & a signal was checked twice a day to see if the trap had been triggered. Willem & I would then monitor the cage by foot every second or third day to see whether there were tracks in the area. Luckily, besides a baboon & klipspringer (released unharmed), there was little "by catch" at this trap.
"Oom Arrie" (named after a wonderful gentleman managing the game reserve Bakkrans in the Cederberg), weighed a very healthy, and unusually large, 44kg. When captured, he had a big round tummy - most likely from eating a small antelope from the area. He has been collared and released at Mount Ceder (at the cage), and will be monitored over the following 14 months.
Final Report Read about the activities undertaken and findings of this project in the final report below.
