Save the Leopard

Photo courtesy of Marlon du Toit from Singita Game Reserve - Kruger National Park

Save a Leopard - Landmark Foundation

The charismatic  leopard is the top predator species in the mountainous regions of the Cape of South Africa. 

They are increasingly coming into conflict with farmers who use lethal methods of predator control. Although they are not officially classified as endangered, the leopard populations are becoming so isolated that they may not be genetically viable for much longer.

The Landmark Foundation is a South African charity that is run on a shoestring and has been doing amazing work.  Not only saving the lives of many animals but fighting hard to change the attitude of farmers and a culture going back generations.  Landmark is demonstrating the negative impact that traditional, lethal methods of predator control have on the whole eco-system - it’s not just leopards, but caracal, jackal and eagles that suffer the same fate.

Photo courtesy of Marlon du Toit from Singita Game Reserve - Kruger National Park

Landmark is proving that innovative, predator friendly methods can be more effective.   They have been trialling the use of alpacas and livestock guarding dogs (such as Anatolian Shepherds) to guard the sheep. They are very protective of their charges!  Even the use of simple, inexpensive, plastic and metal collars that protect the neck of the sheep – making them impervious to attack by solitary predators like leopards – are proven to be successful.   

Photo courtesy of Marlon du Toit from Singita Game Reserve - Kruger National Park

Landmark has been running their rescue and rehabilitation project, researching the local leopard population and their movements in order to demonstrate the scale of the problem.  Leopards caught in gin traps often need veterinary treatment to avoid a lingering, painful death.  Capturing at-risk leopards in live traps means that they can be collared and released in a safer area.  So far they have rescued, released and/ or relocated 24 leopards between 2004 and 2009.    

Help us to help them to continue this vital and worthwhile work.