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Cedeberg Leopard News

Published: 25 March 2008

GPS collar data from the leopards in the Cederberg are revealing fascinating information on the ecology of these elusive animals. M11, the adult male leopard collared in Houdini’s territory last year, has taken over the exact same area Houdini patrolled.

We have managed to track this male on foot a number of times now using telemetry equipment, however, he is certainly not as confident and “visible” as Houdini was. It seems almost certain now that that old cat, Houdini, is no longer. Unless he has pulled yet one more trick over us, he may well have succumbed to one of his favourite prey items, namely, porcupines. A strategically embedded quill from one of these animals has often seen the downfall of even the largest African carnivore.

Katherina
Now that her mother, F6, has died (see website for more details on F6’s death), Katherina (adopted by Rex & Carol Harland), seems to have moved back into her natal range. We expect that she will take over the entire territory, but in order determine this, we will need to capture and collar her. Trapping will begin in Mid-April when temperatures subside in this arid Karoo part of the Cederberg.

Johan is still going strong and looking good (from the camera trap pics). It is almost impossible to get a GPS download from him, as his collar is not working properly. The next step is to recapture him again (3rd time) and put a fancy new collar on him which should hopefully work considerably better. Wish us luck! It took us 5 months to recapture him a second time.

Johan 

Oom Arrie has extended his range right into the Koue Bokkeveld range, as well as venturing a little further north into Johan’s territory. Now that Johan is utilising an area of almost 1200km2, it may become more difficult for him to defend this massive area as well as when his range was about 800km2.

Kooitjie & Amber are still doing well in the northern Cederberg. Amber is spending quite a bit of time on the Bushmanskloof Reserve. Quinton was fortunate to track her again on the 17th March about 3km’s from the lodge.

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