Population of large carnivores are threatened and experiencing declines in numbers globally. There is a lack of data and unreliable results to inform conservation practice especially with South Africa's leopards as they live outside of formally protected areas. It is vital that data collection be conducted on private land and that populations are studied in these areas to work towards evidence-based conservation practice.
Population of large carnivores are threatened and experiencing declines in numbers globally. Over a third of South Africa's leopard habitat is found in just Limpopo province, yet 95% of that is outside of formally protected areas. Despite these issues, the majority of population and conservation-based research has occurred in protected areas. This has led to a lack of data or unreliable results to inform conservation practice.
Research on leopards through data collection from camera trap surveys, recording spoor and signs of predator presence, and mapping the movements and ranges of individuals. . It is vital that data collection be conducted on private land and that populations are studied in these areas to work towards evidence-based conservation practice. Ultimately, it is only through focused research that we can develop conservation solutions that will protect these species and individuals livelihoods.
The leopard and predator project is designed to conserve large predators through population research in protected and unprotected areas. This data has the potential to be used to support the mitigation of human-predator conflict e.g. leopards predating on livestock, thus enhancing livelihoods and applying conservation education throughout communities.
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