Not only have we discovered two new sub-adult males (GSM1 left and GSM2 right) but we have been able to expand the minimum home range of one of our territorial males. Pa Jee had previously been spotted at the bottom of the Rooiberg Mountain and we, in fact, had not had any photographs of him for almost a year!

 

We feared the worst and were obviously delighted to see him strolling around near Ladismith (right) with the latest sighting just south-west of Calitzdorp! There have been eleven leopards identified within the Gouritz corridor to date - six males, three females and two sub-adult males.

The camera traps have also been able to provide information of the minimum home range of three of the males, being GML1 Oom Pep, GML2 Hugo and GML3 Pa Jee, by measuring the area between the different camera sites they visited. There minimum home ranges are 16 800ha, 12 400ha and 12 900ha, respectively.

This project would not have been a success without the partnership that was formed between the Cape Leopard Trust and CapeNature. We would like to extend a special word of thanks to Ivan Donian, Tom Barry (right), Tony Marshall, Martin Botha and the field rangers of the Gamkaberg and Swartberg Nature Reserves (pictured below) for all their assistance and support.

 

Thanks

Leigh Potter has been with the Cape Leopard Trust since October 2007. She will unfortunately be leaving us in May; however, the Cape Leopard Trust will remain active in the Gouritz Corridor, and has exciting new plans for the area. Thanks must go to Leigh for her involvement in the Gouritz project.