South Africa IWT122 A leopard guards its kill in a tree in Sabi Sands Nature Reserve. Credit - Angela Ambrosini, Panthera

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South Africa IWT122 A leopard guards its kill in a tree in Sabi Sands Nature Reserve. Credit - Angela Ambrosini, Panthera
South Africa IWT122 A leopard guards its kill in a tree in Sabi Sands Nature Reserve. Credit - Angela Ambrosini, Panthera

TAG: @Panthera on FB; @pantheracats on Instagram

A leopard guards its kill in a tree in South Africa's Sabi Sands Nature Reserve. PantheraⳠSabi Sands Leopard Project has become critical in the struggle to save leopards, likely the most persecuted big cat. As the lengthiest and most comprehensive leopard research study ever undertaken, the project encompasses three private reserves (the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mala Mala Game Reserve and Sabie Game Reserve) in South Africa. Since 2009, Panthera researchers have studied, monitored and gained a better understanding of leopard behavior using this unique population.

Due to well-protected environment and sensitive viewing practices, leopards in the reserve have become comfortable around vehicles. Because of this, leopard sightings are frequent and safari guides can identify and monitor up to 85 resident leopards using their unique spots and established territories. Panthera has trained safari guides to act as citizen scientists, using their photo-tourism sightings as biological data that ultimately inform the conservation of at-risk leopard populations in other regions.

At a national scale, we use DNA to help combat the poaching of leopards for the illegal wildlife trade.

We have life histories for over 900 leopards in the Sabi Sands since 1979 and detailed records of more than 500 litters of cubs. Over 110,000 unique leopard sightings have been submitted since 2003 and approximately 8000 new observations are added annually. Consequently, this population demonstrates how leopard numbers change, healthy demographic composition and spatial organization. These data can be used to answer ecological, behavioral and management questions and inform conservation at other sites where leopards are under threat.

Ultimately, as the patterns and processes governing wildlife population trends are only detectable over many years and generations, long-term research is critical to understanding and conserving species at a global scale.

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Taken on: July 15, 2024
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