Scientific Publications

A key priority of the Cape Leopard Trust is to invest in and empower scientific research. The result is that the employees, students and associates of the CLT have authored and co-authored a number of peer-reviewed academic articles.

Such scientific papers are vital to consistently improve the strategic management of the ecosystems and landscapes in which we work. Contributions to scientific literature are a valuable tool to assist researchers globally by sharing knowledge.


  • Leighton, G.R.M., Froneman, W., Serieys, L.E.K. & Bishop, JM. (2023). Trophic downgrading of an adaptable carnivore in an urbanising landscape. Scientific Reports 13, 21582. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48868-x

  • de Villiers, M-S., Janecke, B.B., Müller, L., Amin, R., & Williams, K.S. (2023) Leopard density in a farming landscape of the Western Cape, South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research 53(1): 177-184. https://doi.org/10.3957/056.053.0177

  • Hinde, K., Wilkinson, A., Tokota, S., Amin, R., O’Riain, M.J. and Williams, K.S. (2023) Leopard density and the ecological and anthropogenic factors influencing density in a mixed-use landscape in the Western Cape, South Africa. PLOS ONE 18(10): e0293445. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293445

  • Parker, D., Nams, V., Balme, G., et al. (2023) The implications of large home range size in a solitary felid, the Leopard (Panthera pardus). Journal of Mammalogy gyad074. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyad074

  • Serieys, L.E.K., Bishop, J.M., Rogan, M.S., Smith, J.A., Suraci, J.P., O'Riain, M.J., and Wilmers, C.C. (2023) Anthropogenic activities and age class mediate carnivore habitat selection in a human-dominated landscape. iScience 26: 107050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.107050

  • Parker, K.H., Bishop, J.M., Serieys, L.E.K., Mateo, R., Camarero, P.R., and Leighton, G.R.M. (2023) A heavy burden: Metal exposure across the land-ocean continuum in an adaptable carnivore. Environmental Pollution 327: 121585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121585

  • Nams, V.O., Parker, D.M, Weise, F.J., et al. (2023) Spatial patterns of large African cats: a large-scale study on density, home range size, and home range overlap of lions Panthera leo and leopards Panthera pardus. Mammal Review 53(2): 49 – 64. https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12309

  • Jansen, C., Leslie, A.J., Cristescu, B., Teichman, K.J. & Martins, Q.E. (2023) Leopards living at the farmland-protected area interface prefer wild prey but consume high biomass of livestock. African Journal of Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13165

  • Teichman, K.J, Cristescu, B., Crevier, L., O'Riain, M.J. & Hodges, K.E. (2023) Movement choices of persecuted caracals on farmlands in South Africa. Rangeland Ecology & Management 88: 77-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2023.02.004

  • Greyling, E., Comley, J., Cherry, M.I., Leslie, A.J. & Müller, L. (2023) Facilitation of a free-roaming apex predator in working lands: evaluating factors that influence leopard spatial dynamics and prey availability in a South African biodiversity hotspot. PeerJ 11: e14575. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14575

  • Hinde, K. (2022) The density of leopards in a mixed-use landscape in the Western Cape, South Africa. MSc thesis, University of Cape Town.

  • De Villiers, M-S (2022) Free-roaming leopards (Panthera pardus) in an agricultural dominated, mountainous landscape, Western Cape. MSc thesis, University of the Free State.

  • Kendon, T.A., Comley, J., Wilkinson, A., Grobler, M.J., Nieman, W.A., Leslie, A.J., O'Riain, M.J. & Naude, V.N. (2022) Evaluating determinants of wire-snare poaching risk in the Boland Mountain Complex of South Africa. Journal for Nature Conservation (70). 126295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126295

  • Dunford, C.E., Martins, Q.E., Mann, G.K.H., Spalton, J.A., Al Hikmani, A., Robinson, N.P. Almalki, A., Gallacher, E., Balme, G.A. & Robinson, H.S. (2022) Modelling potential habitat suitability for critically endangered Arabian leopards (Panthera pardus nimr) across their historical range in Saudi Arabia. Journal for Nature Conservation 68 (2022): 126233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126233

  • Greyling, E., Herbst, M. & de Villiers, M.S. (2022) Photographic evidence of predation on Cape dune mole-rat (Bathyergus suillus) and rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) by African wildcat (Felis lybica cafra). African Journal of Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13040

  • Müller, L., Briers-Louw, W.D., Seele, B.C., Lochner, C.S. & Amin, R. (2022) Population size, density and ranging behaviour in a key leopard population in the Western Cape, South Africa. PLoS ONE17(5): e0254507. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254507

  • Müller, L., Briers-Louw, W.D., Amin, R., Lochner, C.S. & Leslie, A.J. (2022) Carnivore coexistence facilitated by spatial and dietary partitioning and fine-scale behavioural avoidance in a semi-arid ecosystem. Journal of Zoology 317(2): 114-128. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12964

  • Amin, R., Wilkinson, A., Williams, K.S., Martins, Q.E. & Hayward, J. (2022) Assessing the status of leopard in the Cape Fold Mountains using a Bayesian spatial capture-recapture model in Just Another Gibbs Sampler. African Journal of Ecology https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12944

  • Leighton, G.R.M, Bishop, J.M., Camarero, P.R., Mateo, R., O'Riain, M.J. & Serieys, L.E.K (2022) Poisoned chalice: Use of transformed landscapes associated with increased persistent organic pollutant concentrations and potential immune effects for an adaptable carnivore. Science of the Total Environment 822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153581

  • Leighton, G.R.M, Bishop, J.M., Merondun, J., Winterton, D.J, O'Riain, M.J. & Serieys, L.E.K (2021) Hiding in plain sight: risk mitigation by a cryptic carnivore foraging at the urban edge. Animal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12732

  • Kendon, T.A. (2021) Spatial distribution and intensity of snare poaching in the Boland Region of South Africa: implications for optimising anti-poaching efforts. MSc thesis, University of Cape Town.

  • Chilcott, G. (2021) Spatial ecology of the Cape’s apex predator: A study of leopard (Panthera pardus) home ranges in the Boland Mountain Complex, Western Cape, South Africa. MSc thesis, University of London.

  • Wooldridge, R. (2021) A novel integrated modelling framework to investigate leopard (Panthera pardus) density, spatial variation in density and landscape connectivity in a structured landscape. MSc thesis, University of St Andrews.

  • Seaton, A. (2021) Expanding the use of spatial models in statistical ecology. Chapter: Flexible density models for spatial capture-recapture. PhD thesis, University of St Andrews.

  • Nieman, W.A., Schultz, B.C., Wilkinson, A. & Leslie, A.J. (2021) Stakeholders’ perceptions of mammal occurrence and abundance on agricultural properties bordering the Boland Mountain Complex, South Africa. African Zoology 56(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2021.1885990

  • Puls, S., Teichman. K.J., Jansen. C., O'Riain, M.J., and Cristescu, B. (2021) Activity patterns of leopards (Panthera pardus) and temporal overlap with their prey in an arid depredation hotspot of southern Africa. African Journal of Arid Environments 187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104430

  • Cristescu, B., Teichman, K.J., Puls, S., Jansen, C., and O'Riain M.J. (2020) Spatial Distribution of Leopards on Farmland and Namaqua National Park, South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research 50(1). https://doi.org/10.3957/056.050.0190

  • Drouilly, M., Kelly, C., Cristescu, B., Teichman, K. and O’Riain, M.J. (2020) Investigating the hidden costs of livestock guarding dogs: a case study in Namaqualand, South Africa. Journal of Vertebrate Biology Vol 69(3): 20033. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20033

  • Mann, G.K.H., O'Riain, M.J. & Parker, D.M. (2020) A leopard's favourite spots: Habitat preference and population density of leopards in a semi-arid biodiversity hotspot. Journal of Arid Environments 181: 104218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104218

  • Greyling, E. (2020) Catering for leopards of the Cape: Investigating prey species diversity in an agricultural and a protected landscape. Honours thesis, Stellenbosch University.

  • Viljoen, S., O’Riain, M.J., Penzhorn, Drouilly, M., Serieys, L., Cristescu, B., Teichman, K.J. & Bishop, J.M. (2020) Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa. Parasites Vectors 13, 220. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04075-5

  • Leighton, G.R.M., Bishop, J.M., O'Riain, M.J., Broadfield, J., Meröndun, J., Avery, G., Avery, D.M. & Serieys, L.E.K. (2020) An integrated dietary assessment increases feeding event detection in an urban carnivore. Urban Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-020-00946-y

  • Nieman, W.A., Wilkinson, A. & Leslie, A.J. (2020) Farmer attitudes and regional risk modelling of human-wildlife conflict on farmlands bordering the Boland Mountain Complex, South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research Vol 50: 36–54. https://doi.org/10.3957/056.050.0036

  • Jansen, C., Leslie, A.J., Cristescu, B., Teichman, K.J. & Martins, Q. (2019) Determining the diet of an African mesocarnivore, the caracal: scat or GPS cluster analysis? Wildlife Biology Vol 2019, Issue 1.
    https://doi.org/10.2981/wlb.00579

  • Nieman, W.A., Leslie, A.J., Wilkinson, A. Wossler, T.C. (2019) Socioeconomic and biophysical determinants of wire-snare poaching incidence and behaviour in the Boland Region of South Africa. Journal for Nature Conservation. Volume 52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2019.125738

  • Mann, G.K.H., Wilkinson, A., Hayward, J., Drouilly, M., O'Riain, M.J. & Parker, D.M. (2019) The effects of aridity on land use, biodiversity and dietary breadth in leopards. Mammalian Biology Vol 98: 43-51.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2019.07.003

  • Nieman, W.A., Leslie, A.J., & Wilkinson, A. (2019) Traditional medicinal animal use by Xhosa and Sotho communities in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicinie, 15:34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-019-0311-6

  • Hofman MPG, Hayward MW, Heim M, Marchand P, Rolandsen CM, Mattisson J, et al. (2019) Right on track? Performance of satellite telemetry in terrestrial wildlife research. PLoS ONE 14(5): e0216223. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216223
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  • Serieys, L.E.K., Hammond-Aryee, K., Bishop, J., Broadfield, J., O’Riain, J.M., & van Helden, P.D. (2019) High Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in an Urban Caracal (Caracal caracal) Population in South Africa. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 55(4).
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  • Serieys, L.E.K., Bishop, J., Okes, N., Broadfield, J., Winterton D.J., Poppenga, R.H., Viljoen, S., Wayne, R.K., & O'Riain, M.J. (2019) Widespread anticoagulant poison exposure in predators in a rapidly growing South African city. Science of the Total Environment. Vol 666: 581-590 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.122

  • Steenkamp, E. (2018) Mesopredator abundances, prey interactions and diet of Caracal caracal and Canis mesomelas in the Gamkaberg, Western Cape. MSc Thesis, University of Stellenbosch. (Download link: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/105098)

  • Rich L.N., Davis C.L., Farris Z.J., Miller, D.A.W., Tucker, J.M., Hamel, S., Farhadinia, M.S., Steenweg, R., Di Bitetti, M.S., Thapa, K., Kane, M.D., Sunarto, S., Robinson, N.P., Paviolo, A., Cruz, P. Martins, Q., Gholikhani, N., Taktehrani, A., Whittington, J., Widodo, F.A., Yoccoz, N.G., Wultsch, C., Harmsen, B.J., Kelly, M.J. (2017) Assessing global patterns in mammalian carnivore occupancy and richness by integrating local camera trap surveys. Global Ecology & Biogeography. 2017;00:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12600
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  • de Satgé, J., Teichman, K. & Cristescu, B. (2017). Competition and coexistence in a small carnivore guild. Oecologia early online https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-017-3916-2

  • Swanepoel LH, Balme G, Williams S, Power RJ, Snyman A, Gaigher I, Senekal C, Martins Q, Child MF. (2016). A conservation assessment of Panthera pardus. In Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
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  • Avenant NL, Drouilly M, Power RJ, Thorn M, Martins Q, Neils A, du Plessis J, Do Linh San E. (2016). A conservation assessment of Caracal caracal. In Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
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  • Jansen, C. (2016). Diet of key predators responsible for livestock conflict in Namaqualand, South Africa. MSc Thesis, University of Stellenbosch.
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  • Murgatroyd, M., Underhill, L.G., Rodrigues, L., Amar, A. (2016) The influence of agricultural transformation on the breeding performance of a top predator: Verreaux’s Eagles in contrasting land use areas. The Condor: Ornithological Applications 118(2), 238-252
    Download (Research partially funded through a grant by The Cape Leopard Trust to M.M.)

  • Ropiquet, A., Knight, A.T., Born, C., Martins, Q., Balme, G., Kirkendall, L., Hunter, L., Senekal, C. & Matthee C.A. (2015) Implications of spatial genetic patterns for conserving African leopards. Comptes Rendus Biologies 388(11), 728-737 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crvi.2015.06.019)

  • Mann, G. (2014). Aspects Of The Ecology Of Leopards (panthera Pardus) In The Little Karoo, South Africa. PhD thesis, Rhodes University.
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  • Martins, Q. & Harris, S. (2013). Movement, activity and hunting behaviour of leopards in the Cederberg mountains, South Africa. African Journal of Ecology, pp. 1- 9.

  • Martins, Q., Horsnell, W.G.C., Titus, W., Rautenbach, T. & Harris, S. (2011). Diet determination of the Cape Mountain leopards using global positioning system location clusters and scat analysis. Journal of Zoology 283, 81-87.

  • Fröhlich, M. (2011). Studying the foraging ecology of leopards (Panthera pardus) using activity and location data: an exploratory attempt. Masters Thesis.
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  • Martins, Q. (2010). The ecology of the leopard Panthera pardus in the Cederberg Mountains. PhD Thesis, University of Bristol.

  • Rautenbach, T. (2009) Assessing the diet of the Cape leopard (Panthera pardus) in the Cederberg and Gamka Mountains, South Africa. Master's Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa (Scholarship provided by the Cape Leopard Trust).
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  • Patterson, L. (2008) A spatio-temporal analysis of the habitat use of leopards (Panthera pardus) in the Karoo biome of the Cederberg Mountains, South Africa. Honours Thesis, University of Cape Town, South Africa (in collaboration with the Cape Leopard Trust).
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  • Parsons, S., Smith, S.G.D., Martins, Q., Horsnell, W.G.C, Gouse, T.A., Streichera, E.M., Warrena, R.M., van Helden, P.D. & van Pittiusa, N.C.G. (2008) Pulmonary infection due to the dassie bacillus (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex sp.) in a free-living dassie (rock hyrax—Procavia capensis) from South Africa. Tuberculosis 88, 80-83.
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  • Martins, N. (2006) Conservation genetics of Panthera pardus in South Africa: Phylogeography of mitochondrial lineages. Master's Thesis, University of Bergen, Norway (Scholarship provided by the Cape Leopard Trust).
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  • Martins, Q. & Martins, N. (2006) Leopards of the Cape: Conservation and Conservation concerns. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 63(5), 579-585.
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  • Daly, B., Power, J., Camacho, G., Traylor-Holzer, K., Barber, S., Catterall, S., Fletcher, P., Martins,Q., Martins, N., Owen, C., Thal, T. and Friedmann, Y.,(editors). (2005). Leopard (Panthera pardus) PHVA. Workshop Report. Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (SSC / IUCN) / CBSG South Africa. Endangered Wildlife Trust.
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