Leopard Ecology
WHY LEOPARD?
Top predators, like leopards (Panthera pardus), play a key role in regulating prey populations and controlling mesopredators (jackal, caracal), helping maintain healthy balanced ecosystem.
Leopards are considered Vulnerable in the Southern African region, facing the risk of extinction in the medium term.
OBJECTIVES
When we started studying leopards, very little was known about the species in the southern South Africa. Therefore, we focus our research on:
- Density estimates
- Activity patterns and spatial requirements
- Resource selection,
- Habitat prediction
- Genetic
- Connectivity
- Threats.
These efforts have significantly improved conservation and management strategies (e.g., translocation) both inside and outside protected areas, feeding into broader species-level management plans.
Landmark run one of the LARGEST & LONGEST running leopard research project in the world.
75
Leopards rescued
56
Leopards collared
71
Genetic samples
< 1.000.000
Camera trap images
Density Estimates
Leopard populations in South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape are estimated to range between 175–588 and 365–429 individuals, respectively. However, these estimates include fragmented and isolated habitats that may not support viable populations due to edge effects and limited space—factors that are especially problematic for wide-ranging species like leopards. Evidence from GPS collars, camera traps, and DNA analysis suggests that leopard populations in different areas may be isolated. For instance, only 30–35 leopards remain in the 3,500 km² Baviaanskloof area, and just 20–25 in the 800 km² Garden Route forests. To ensure the species’ long-term survival, connecting these isolated populations is critical.
Spatial Requirements & Structure
Leopard space use is driven by resource availability. In mountainous regions of the Eastern and Western Cape, where prey is scarce, leopards require large territories—males averaging 250 km² and females 120 km², with some males ranging up to 1,000 km² (100,000 ha), encompassing multiple females. They may travel over 20 km per day when hunting. Due to their territorial nature and density dependence, these large ranges limit population density. Males may tolerate some overlap with neighboring males, but females maintain exclusive territories.
In resource-rich areas like protected zones or regions with low human-wildlife conflict, such as the Garden Route forests, leopard ranges are smaller—males using about 100 km² and females half that, typically with two females per male. However, habitat loss is a major issue: in the Garden Route, forest habitat has declined from 2,200 km² in 1996 to just 800 km² today, severely threatening leopards and overall biodiversity.
Habitat: Drivers & Predictions
Understanding how leopards interact with their environment is key to effective conservation. By analysing environmental and anthropological factors, we mapped suitable leopard habitats. Leopards tend to select areas with:
- Moderate slopes
- Natural land cover, plantations, ravines, and rivers
- High prey availability
- Low human activity and minimal habitat modification
However, social dynamics also play a crucial role. Although leopards are solitary and territorial, their movements and space use are strongly influenced by the location of neighbors, particularly females, who shape population structure. These insights were only possible through data gathered from GPS-collared leopards.
Genetic Viability & Structure
Although African leopards generally show high genetic diversity and continuous populations, the southernmost population in South Africa’s Eastern and Western Cape—the ‘South population’—may be at risk due to human activity and natural barriers that limit movement and gene flow. DNA analysis identified three leopard populations in the region with moderate to low genetic exchange, indicating weak connectivity.
The Overberg population is particularly concerning, showing low density, limited gene flow, and a lack of habitat corridors. To prevent genetic isolation and support long-term survival, conservation efforts must focus on maintaining connectivity through wildlife corridors, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and carefully using translocations where appropriate.
Population connectivity & corridors
Landscape fragmentation is isolating wildlife populations and reducing gene flow. To address this, we used leopard movement data to identify habitat corridors. These corridors are typically in mountainous areas with low human activity, as leopards avoid heavily transformed landscapes like cultivated fields and areas with little cover. Such unsuitable areas reduce connectivity and contribute to population isolation. Where natural corridors are no longer functional, active conservation measures—such as mitigating human-wildlife conflict and rewilding—are essential to maintain species connectivity and genetic health.
Translocation as a Management Tool
Translocation is often used to reduce human-wildlife conflict, but its effectiveness is poorly understood due to limited monitoring and inconsistent practices. An analysis of 60 translocation cases from five South African provinces (1994–2022) revealed:
- 77% were responses to conflict.
- Longer-distance moves improve success; relocating within an animal’s home range is ineffective.
- Damage-causing leopards can be successfully translocated.
- Careful selection and monitoring of release sites, along with post-release tracking, are critical for success.
Overall, the study highlights the need for formalized protocols and improved monitoring to ensure translocation is a viable conservation tool.
Dive Deeper into our Findings
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