Rescue
Rescues and research are focussed in the Western and Eastern Cape of South Africa. The GPS collars serve two main functions – protection and conservation. We have rescued 42 cats and GPS collared 22 since 2004.
Protection: GPS collaring is done in response to rescue cases. GPS data provides proof of any livestock losses in an area. If data and site of a loss match we can then offer a farmer compensation. Compenastion is only granted when the livestock are protected through non-lethal methods (like dogs or protection collars) and no lethal controls are used on the farm.
Conservation: The data collected from the cats gives exact details of their territorial ranges, its sizes and boundaries. This assists us in establishing a) accurate population densities, b) understanding their territorial needs and c) establishing where corridors are present and where mitigation work needs to be focussed to ensure these cats’ genetic survival.
Meet the Leopards
De Hoop Female
Trapped in cage set for caracal this was rescued on a farm near the Potberg section of DeHoop National Park. She was released inside the reserve and is now being monitored in this island of indigenous habitat bordering intensive livestock farming areas.
Worcester Male
A local farmer with Cape Nature Conservation contacted the foundation to rescue this cat after calves were lost. Participating in the Leopard Friendly farming initiative the leopard still roams this property and the land owners are proud to have him there. It is extremely sad to note that within hours of this male’s first map being sent to a local that it found its way onto a hunting site at www.jaracal.com (since removed). These leopards need protection.
Heidelberg Male
Rescued from an old empty reservoir in stormy conditions this leopard has been fascinating to watch a he keeps to narrow belts of indigenous and wattle forests in the foothills. He had followed a baboon into the old reservoir and was unable to jump out the 5 meter walls. Workers on the farm just outside the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve heard the cat growling. Cape Nature Conservation was contacted and they called out Landmark’s team.
M2 Cockscomb
This beautiful male leopard illustrates the resilience of these cats in the wild. He was lucky to escape and survive the effects of a gin trap (see pic on the right). He was collared in June 2007. His range extended some 120km² and we picked up one female within his range. Sadly he did not escape death and was killed by a farmer in October 2008. He was one of the first cats collared and he has provided us with an immense amount of information which will be used to ensure his unfortunate fate will not be the fate of other leopards in his area. The Landmark team was fortunate enough to witness his mating with a female in May 2008. An extraordinary event to witness! Mating continued for 15 hours and occurred every 12 minutes. His cubs will without a doubt carry on his strength. Unfortunately, a farmer shot this male in October 2008. Subsequently a male (see Cockscomb M2) has taken over his entire range. This resilient animal was caught in a steel gin trap. The second picture shows how the animal was lucky to survive as the entire paw was broken off!
F3 Kazuko Female
F3 was a cat rescued from a gin trap in November 2007. She was fortunate to only suffer tissue damage and the Landmark Foundation reacted quickly enough to ensure her release into the wild. She was released into the safe environment of Addo National Park.
M4 Kazuko Male
This male was the first leopard we collared in December 2006. The farmer on whose property he was captured, refused to release him on site, and so he was relocated to Addo National Park. We consequently kept a close eye on his movements and he decided to remain in the National Park. He has been sighted on several occasions at a lodge near-by. The importance of this cat was extremely high as he was translocated and educated all involved regarding the movements he subsequently made. He was released into an area where pre-release surveys where undertaken to establish leopard presence, and we found no evidence of leopards before his release.