After just over a month of trapping, the Gouritz team finally managed to capture their first leopard on Groenefontein Nature Reserve, near Calitzdorp. The leopard, an adult male weighing just under 35kg, was in prime condition and didnt suffer any harm during the capture process. Capturing this particular male was something of a surprise, as he has only previously been photographed at a site approximately 25km west of where we captured him.
It was also great to be able to share the capture with the rangers from Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, who have provided exceptional support to our project over the past few years. We were able to fit him with a GPS collar and look forward to monitoring his movements over the next year or so! We would also like to thank Dr. Glen Carlisle of Oudtshoorn Veterinary Clinic, who came out to assist with the capture despite having to fly up to Pretoria that afternoon. Hopefully this will be just the first of many captures in the Gouritz area.
Aneri and Gareth with their first collared Gouritz leopard
