Leopard Project

Overview

The Northern Tuli Predator Project was started in 2007 and focuses mainly on the study of lions and leopards. Additional large carnivore species have also since been selected for further studies, as part of the greater carnivore assemblage in the reserve. These include spotted hyaenas and cheetah. The leopard component of the project has been running since 2005.

Leopards are notoriously difficult to study due to their secretive nature, the habitats they frequent, and their low densities. Although leopards have been studied across a wide range of habitats, there is still a need for further study particularly with respect to management and human conflict. In the Northern Tuli Game Reserve we have initiated a long-term leopard project. Aspects investigated include behavioral ecology, population dynamics, movement patterns, population density estimation, habitat preference, prey selection and human conflict. Thus far 29 leopards have been monitored by means of VHF and GPS radio collars. Over 40 successful captures have been made with leopards having been either cage trapped or free darted.

Abstract from presentation at the 8^th Annual Savanna Science Network Meeting, held at Skukuza – Kruger National Park, 2010.

Here we examine aspects of the spatial-, behavioral- and feeding-ecology of Northern Tuli leopards. Male leopards had much larger home ranges than females. Average home range size (90% Kernel density estimate: 87.1 ± 48.2 km²) and core home ranges (50% Kernel: 14.3 ± 16.6 km²) were substantially larger for adult males than for adult females (90% Kernel: 31.4 ± 14.5 km²; 50% Kernel: 5.0 ± 3.6 km²). Five male and two female leopards have been recorded moving outside the reserve’s borders, mainly into the Tuli Safari Area, Zimbabwe. These movements resulted in death due to safari hunting of one male. Furthermore, dispersing young males showed increased shyness when returning from their excursions outside the reserve. Prey selection data was derived from 611 kills recorded over nine years by game drives. Impala made up 88% of all recorded kills.

Aims of the project:

To determine:

• Social organization of male leopards
• Habitat selection and preference
• Prey selection and preference in combination with landscape features and topograpgy
• Risk assessment from leopards to neighboring hostile areas
• Leopard population structure and dynamics

Also to:

• Improve current knowledge on camera trapping methods and models for population calculation
• Improve / device new methods and materials for leopard capture & monitoring
• Attract international attention to the state and fate of leopards

Scientists