Although a significant amount of predator research has been
conducted within game reserves, the vast majority of South Africa's
Leopards live wild in rural areas outside these protected areas
where data is less reliable. We are gathering and collating
exciting information to determine the number of leopards living in
non-protected areas using innovative technology. In this way we can
better understand their diverse and complex behaviour and
integration with man.
Note: Leopards are currently
classified as LC or
Least Concern on the
Red List of threatened
species. The ICUN go on to say that Leopards are declining in
large parts of their range due to habitat loss and fragmentation,
and hunting for trade and pest control. These threats may be
significant enough that the species could soon qualify for
Vulnerable under criterion A4 (30% decline over a period of 30
years = three generations, including both past and future). From
our research so far, we can determine that the leopard population
in our research areas is in decline, which in is very worrying.
Under CITES and regional government permits, hundreds of Leopards
are hunted and killed as pests and for sport each year in South
Africa. Leopards are the Apex predator in most areas, thefore our
research also helps to determine the biodiversity of our research
zones. The
Ingwe Leopard
Project is headed by emminent Zoologist Gerrie Camacho who
leads a team of dedicated volunteers. We monitor the behaviour and
movement of Leopards with a variety of methods:
Camera
Traps. Motion activated cameras which are mounted along game
trails and paths. Any passing animal will be photographed, allowing
us to keep tabs on who is in, who is out and who is just passing
through. We have taken thousands of camera trap photographs that
allow us to get a better understanding of Leopard movement in a
research zone. Our
photo page has many examples.
GPS Tracking Collars
Tracking collars which use a GPS and cellular link to let us now
the location and movement of an animal. All we have to do is
monitor progress against a google earth map. Can it be that simple?
