North West Leopard Research Project

01/08/2024

01/08/2024

Provincial officials released a male leopard which will be monitored relatively near to its capture origin. The efforts of those who assisted in initial retrieval, subsequent treatment involving teeth remedying are thanked. Owl Rescue centre did sterling work at the start, as well as sponsoring his collar. The Ann Van Dyk Cheetah centre once again housed him during a period of treatment, while vets Dr Cauldwell and Dr Steenkamp did what they do best. Its up to him now to be a leopard again.

03/01/2022

Some work our officials have been involved with in collaboration from other feline biologists from UCT - leopards of the Magaliesberg in the province.

(2021). Mountain refugia limit anthropogenic suppression in a re-established felid population: the case of the Magaliesberg leopard population in South Africa. African Zoology: Vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 292-302.

19/12/2021

In the summer back in 2014, 7 years ago, this is a short 10 minute video describing the post-release monitoring of a collared leopard then that had then given birth. Every now and again animals are remediated and treated for various injures, but there are still far too many that cannot be helped as one often doesn't get there in time to lend a helping hand. This was one of the lucky ones..

Back in the summer of 2014, a satellite collared female leopard that was treated for an injury was released back into the wild. This animal was at the time ...

05/10/2021

So 7 years ago today, this happened, where a female leopard was returned to her home-range after enduring extensive veterinary treatment. This is a follow on of the series of video clips highlighting management challenges with this species.

Back in October 2014, a snare-injured leopard, named Brandy, was treated for a fortnight at the Johannesburg zoo, and the repatriated back into her known ho...

24/09/2021

Given Heritage day, the provincial leopard conservation officers have asked for such to be presented today, as it was 7 years ago, to the day that this incident took place.

GPS cluster follow ups of collared leopards can be repurposed for extricating these precious animals from snares too.
Till the end of the year we will present monthly video clips showcasing such work, which are a part of what was required for an article the officials published in a British Ecological Society journal.

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Conservation officers monitoring any carnivores will be vigilant in assessing their likelihood of being caught in snares. Here, we present a case study of o...

23/09/2021

As a lead up to Heritage day, here is a video clip showing how our conservation officials confirm the reproductive status of wild leopards in the province. These creatures are an exquisite heritage to the province.

Authorities charged with monitoring satellite collared leopards do enagage in following up on potential den sites of leopards. This is determined from what ...

21/09/2021

As per Heritage week, we will post a series of video clips on the work our scientific services officials get up to. Once such activity is that of GPS cluster follows of satellite collared leopards, and this is to examine not just feeding, but general behaviour and condition too. This is unique footage of how leopards live - in many cases - outside protected areas

This is a short video clip describing the process of following up on GPS clusters of leopard kill sites, something which officials in the Directorate of Biod...

14/09/2021

Due to Covid-19 concerns, our officials presented virtually in a recent wildlife-related symposium in the Kruger Park..

As part of the 50th anniversary of the Southern African Wildlife Management Association, and given the current Covid-19 pandemic, pre-recorded presentations ...

07/09/2021

Some releases of leopards in the province

Whether collared or not, leopards are released either where they originate, or elsewhere. Monitors watch the leopard as it recovers from sedation and walks ...

31/08/2021

https://youtu.be/cA6JTHtc-oQ

Satellite collaring of leopards requires for them to be initially captured, and while leopards are down, various measurements and tissue sampling can be done...

31/08/2021

Our officials sometimes consider satellite collaring leopards for monitoring when the opportunities allow..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA6JTHtc-oQ