A leopard had to be put down last week after being hit by a car on Bains Kloof Pass near Wellington.
Cape Nature spokesperson Justin Lawrence said at 21:00 on Thursday 16 February CapeNature responded to a report that a leopard had been hit by a car on Bains Kloof.
“On inspection it was determined the animal was mortally wounded, with numerous injuries including a broken back and shoulder. It was in severe pain, under immense distress and was struggling to breathe.
“All four of the animal’s limbs could not be moved,” Lawrence said. “The leopard had also urinated where it was lying, indicating nerve damage and, on closer inspection, blood was found in the urine, indicating severe internal trauma.”
Lawrence said it is always a difficult decision to euthanase an animal, yet it was the most humane response.
The Cape Mountain Leopard conservation organisation, the Cape Leopard Trust, on its website, said the leopard was a beautiful and healthy adult male, known to them from camera trap photos as a territorial male in the larger Bains Kloof area, referred to as BM30 (Boland Male #30). He was quite large for a fynbos leopard, weighing in at 37 kg and estimated to be five years old.
“Although the loss of such a magnificent animal is extremely unfortunate and certainly undesirable, the local leopard population is healthy,” the website said.
“BM30’s home range will most likely be taken over by a strong young male that had been waiting for an opportunity to hold a territory.”
The website pointed out that leopards do not often get hit and killed by vehicles in the Western Cape.
Nevertheless, the possibility does exist, which the public should be aware of especially when travelling through mountain passes. Each time it happens it is regarded as an unnecessary loss of life. Almost all incidents happen at night on mountain passes and roads going through mountainous terrain.
Leopards have been hit by vehicles on Piekenierskloof Pass, south of Citrusdal, Michell’s Pass outside Ceres, Bains Kloof, the N1 through Du Toits Kloof, the Franschhoek pass and on the R44 coastal road between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els.
“We would like to extend a callto all motorists using these roads please to exercise caution and drive slowly – not only for the sake of leopards but also their prey and other small carnivores. Countless mammals get run over by cars on the roads leading through and around the mountains every day. Caracal, mongoose, genet, polecat, honey badger, porcupine, rabbit, hare, dassie, and so on, all fall victim to reckless driving and speeding on our roads.”
* Recently a leopard was caught in a snare on the foothills of Paardeberg Mountain. Farmers managed to rescue the leopard quickly enough to ensure minimal injury to the animal.
Its injuries were treated, and once it was established the leopard was doing well he was released.
