The CLT Boland project is a field study of the Cape leopard population in the Boland Mountains. This study aims to establish the first rigorous population estimates for leopards in this region, and to identify possible conflict hotspots. The ultimate objectives of the research are to:

• obtain baseline data necessary for ensuring the survival of leopards in the Cape mountains;
• alleviate leopard-farmer conflict;
• establish the presence/absence/relative abundance of resident mammal populations.

How do you find such a secretive animal in such a vast and untamed area?

The short and general answer is: You don’t! Cape Leopards are notoriously shy and elusive; extremely few people have been lucky enough to see one – and when they do it is usually only a short glimpse. Fortunately, there is a solution – digital cameras, containing an infrared sensor triggered by motion and heat (referred to as a “camera trap”). Camera-trapping has proved to be a very effective way of estimating the numbers of elusive and nocturnal animals such as large carnivores (e.g. tigers in India). It is a non-invasive and comparatively affordable option, since it does not require the capture, handling, or immobilisation of animals.

Photographs of leopards are an exceptionally useful tool, since each leopard has a distinctive spot pattern – almost like our fingerprints – by which it can be identified. Camera traps can be deployed singly, but ideally a camera station should consist of two cameras opposite each other. Such double stations are used to compile “leopard identikits” – photos of both an individual’s left and right flanks – which are crucial in estimating the number of individuals in an area.

An added advantage of the camera traps is that they are like permanent fieldworkers, working day and night, in rain or sunshine. They are non-selective, capturing everything that moves, and this provides the ideal opportunity to also gather data on other mammals. These photos give us information about prey availability, and forms part of an exciting collaboration with the the University of Cape Town’s Animal Demography Unit (http://adu.org.za) – namely a Virtual Mammal Museum (very similar to the reptile and butterfly atlassing projects, SARCA and SABCA). When launched, members of the public will be able to act as “citizen scientists”, uploading mammal photographs directly onto the web, thereby creating a huge database with loads of distribution records.

Study area

The CLT Boland Project stretches from Beaverlac Nature Reserve and the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness (near Porterville) in the north, right down to the Kogelberg Nature Reserve (Betty’s Bay & Kleinmond region) in the south – covering a total area of over 300 000 hectares. The core of the study area consists of six CapeNature properties, namely the Groot Winterhoek, Limietberg (Hawequa), Hottentots-Holland, Jonkershoek, Groenlandberg and Kogelberg Nature Reserves, along with the City of Cape Town Helderberg and Kogelberg Reserves. A large proportion of the study area, however, is located on private reserves, farms and private water catchment areas adjacent to the core research area, and the involvement and support of private landowners is pivotal to the project’s success. Our surveys will as far as possible include privately owned land regarded as suitable leopard habitat.

Getting involved

The mountains of the Boland are almost completely surrounded by towns, which puts the CLT Boland Project right on the doorstep of literally millions of people. This gives us an ideal opportunity to create awareness of the amazing natural wealth these mountains harbour, while increasing exposure and support for our research. The CLT Boland Project will be one of the largest leopard camera trapping studies in the world, and the support and involvement of the conservation sector, private landowners and the broader public will be integral to the success of the project.

www.capeleopard.org.za

Financial support & sponsorships

The CLT is a non-governmental organisation, and we rely on sponsorships, private funding and research grants to carry out our research. Any donations of any amount, no matter how small, are very welcome and much needed. Any sponsorships or donations are mentioned on the CLT website.

Camera sponsorships

Raising sufficient funds is vital to effectively run this project, and interested parties are invited to considering sponsoring or buying cameras.

a. Sponsoring a camera

Basic cost per camera: R3000

• The sponsorship includes full servicing of the camera for a year (batteries, cards etc.)
• The CLT decides on the camera placement, as it must form part of a rigorous survey.
• The data (photos taken with the camera) belongs to the CLT.
• Efforts will be made to involve individuals, groups or clubs who sponsor a camera(s), in the servicing of their own camera(s) – should they be interested to do so.
• Sponsors will be privy to all photos from their camera(s), and the CLT will compile and send a general camera trap CD containing highlight photos to all camera trap sponsors every four months. Sponsors are mentioned on the CLT website

b. Buying a camera

Basic cost per camera: +/- R3000

• Private landowners who want their own cameras can purchase them from the CLT on the basis that we have access to their data. We will assist the landowners with the placement and setting up of their cameras.
• Provide accommodation, contacts, & access to private land
• We will be relying heavily on participation and support from private landowners, hiking and other outdoor clubs and the general public. Although a large portion of our study area comprise of provincial nature reserve, a substantial amount of mountain habitat is privately owned. Access to private land is integral to the success of our study, and building a good relationship with landowners is crucial. We call on anyone
• who would like to offer available accommodation in the study area to the two Boland Project researchers for shorter or longer periods while conducting fieldwork in the area
• who can put us in contact with private landowners in the study area
• who can give us access to private land in the study area, to please contact us.

Share observations of leopard activity

Reports of leopard sightings and observations of leopard tracks, scats and scratch marks are very valuable sources of information. We use it to identify suitable sites for camera traps, and we call on everyone to please share this info with us. Where available, a GPS coordinate of the locality is extremely useful, so please send that on as well.

Spread support and awareness for the work of the Cape Leopard Trust

Ultimately we’d like to see the CLT Boland Project become a flagship research and conservation project in the Western Cape. We’re working towards creating a deeper appreciation for the amazing wildlife the Cape mountains have to offer, and mobilising the broader community to take ownership of the biodiversity in the mountains they see every day. So please spread the word!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments, or if you are interested in sponsoring the project.

Jeannie Hayward & Anita Meyer

Co-ordinators: Boland Leopard Project

Mobile: 082 337 0964

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.capeleopard.org.za