CapeNature would like to tell their side of the story published recently on the leopard who lost his life after being caught in a gin trap: On Saturday 4 June, CapeNature conservation services investigated an incident where a leopard was caught in a gin trap that was set illegally. The cooperative landowner, who alerted the SAPS and CapeNature, provided as much information … [Read more...]
Another gin trap casualty: threatened leopard needlessly killed
Cape Nature's Corne Claasen shot and killed this leopard on Saturday that was caught in a gin trap and broke from its anchors. The Police was present and so was a veterinarian that attempted, unsuccessfully, to dart the leopard, says the Landmark Leopard and Predator Project of SA. The incident occurred on the Jakkalsvlei Farms of Mr Marais Rossouw in the Koo Valley near … [Read more...]
Racing Extinction: “Half of all species will be gone in 100 years”
The man behind the Oscar-winning film The Cove is back with a new eco-thriller that goes undercover to document the plight of endangered animals. Thirty years ago, Louie Psihoyos watched in horror as two young children were killed a few steps in front of him. On a blue-sky day near a market in Perkiomen, Pennsylvania, he noticed a family walking hand-in-hand beside the road … [Read more...]
Magaliesberg Leopard ventures back into the wild
A pregnant leopard named Brandy was snared in Magaliesberg recently. According to a statement released by Johannesburg City Parks, she was released back into the wild after two operations to treat her open wounds. “Since her capture and treatment, the team involved has worked diligently to give her and her three unborn cubs the best possible chance of survival in the … [Read more...]
Wild Knysna elephant caught on camera
Green NGO Landmark Foundation recently took some rare photos of an elusive elephant in the Knysna forest, while researching the leopard population status in the Garden Route. The Landmark Foundation works on carnivore conservation in the Eastern and Western Cape. Their main functions are research, rescue, education and extending wildlife friendly habitats. A signature … [Read more...]
More than 80 leopard toads start marching
On Monday 27 August, toads started migrating in Sunvalley Fish Hoek and Lakes, with more than 80 toads recorded in 3 hours! The following day, toads in Noordhoek joined the party and the ToadNUTS (Noordhoek Unpaid Toad Savers) had calls coming in from Devilliers farm, Living Art farm and in Noordhoek proper as well as Fish Hoek sports fields. Volunteers were trying really … [Read more...]
Leopard made of gin traps on display
The Landmark Foundation is currently hosting an art exhibition at the Grahamstown Arts Festival. A life-sized leopard is on display, which was crafted by some talented young students out of gin traps and scrap metal. Other artists have also donated works for raising awareness and funds for leopard conservation. Apex of Evolution A young man was brought into the biology class … [Read more...]
Freddie the frog
The builders departed and the gardening of the small courtyard began. I wanted to bring the garden into the house, so to speak. All shade plants, big and small ferns in our small space but most of all a small bird- bath / pond. Within the year, all was growing well and a hadeda arrived. In our small space he looked like a dinosaur as he came and went during the day. He was a … [Read more...]
Blood Spots Leopard
Panjo, the Fernandes' pet tiger that was in the news a few weeks ago, has placed the public focus on big cats in South Africa. He might have been a Bengal Tiger, not in the least indigenous, but at least alive and well in this country. South Africa features equal beauties in the form of the lion, the cheetah and the leopard, to name but the jewels in Africa's crown. These … [Read more...]
Surprise new pair at Boesmanskloof
A female Cape Mountain Leopard (Panthera pardus) was recently captured on camera at Bushmans Kloof together with her cub, which is estimated to be between five and six months old. The photographic evidence was recorded by the stationary Cape Leopard Trust camera set up in the kloof behind the lodge, confirming that the reserve, adjacent to the Cederberg wilderness area, … [Read more...]
Save the leopards with Anatolian dogs
It is essential for livestock farmers to find non-lethal methods to protect their animals from predators. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog fits this bill perfectly. Anatolians have the ability to protect livestock through their physical attributes of size, strength, good eyesight, sense of smell and hearing and their dedication and loyalty to their adopted families. The leopard … [Read more...]
Is this the price of your Sunday roast?
In South Africa the killing of leopards and predators on livestock farms continues, on the grounds that they are a problem to farmers. A leopard caught and left in a trap on a livestock farm in Uniondale died of dehydration and sepsis, and was left to rot in the trap. The use of gin traps (alias 'soft-catch traps'), poisons, denning and hunting dogs is common and still legal … [Read more...]
