The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the most widely distributed large cats in the world, with a distribution that includes much of Africa and Asia as well as relict populations scattered through the Middle East and south-eastern Europe. As a result of their wide geographic range, leopards are often assumed to warrant low conservation priority. Despite many populations being classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Endangered, leopards are the most extensively exploited and persecuted large felid species in the world. Trophy hunting of leopards is legal in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and killing of leopards by farmers and pastoralists due to conflict with livestock is extremely widespread.

Leopard research in human dominated areas
Despite numerous studies on the ecology and behavior of leopards, the species has never been comprehensively researched under differing levels of human persecution. Accordingly, and as a result of increasing hunting of leopards in adjacent areas, Panthera initiated a study of the landscape ecology of leopards in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Inside the core study areas of Phinda and Mkhuze Game Reserves, leopards are fully protected but are heavily persecuted once they move onto privately-owned game and livestock farms which surround protected areas in South Africa.

This is the first study of leopards comparing a fully protected population adjacent to regions where the species is heavily persecuted, and is now the longest running telemetry project of the species. Since the project’s inception in 2002, 52 leopards have been captured and collared with VHF or GPS collars.

Changing attitudes and legislation
The project has already stimulated the formation of a regional leopard conservancy. Numerous private landowners, as well as regional conservation agencies, have endorsed the research and intend to adhere to the recommendations on sustainable use of leopards as a result of this project. Meetings between all interested parties are conducted annually in which the current results from the study are presented to landowners and other stake-holders. Additionally, in collaboration with the provincial wildlife authority, Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, the regulations for trophy hunting and problem animal control of leopards have been completely overhauled, to the benefit of leopards, based on data produced by the project.

For more information on this project, please visit www.leopardresearch.org