Fears of poaching sparked after leopard is spotted on North Coast
The location of the sighting is being kept secret, as conservation experts fear more specific details will put the animal in danger.
A leopard was spotted by a security camera on the North Coast recently and the video has since been widely shared.
The location of the sighting is being kept secret, as conservation experts from the LionHeart Experience and Richard Schütte, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife district manager, fear more specific details will put the animal in danger.
“The leopard is a highly persecuted species, because the hide is sought after and other parts of the animal are used in the muthi trade,” said Richard McKibbin of the LionHeart Experience.
McKibbin said the distribution of videos such as this one were a huge danger to animals, as the requisite information was often not shared alongside it,
“The truth is this animal is moving through an area, it is not a danger to people under normal circumstances especially if left alone. All that the sharing of the video is doing is giving poachers a location to track the animal and spreading unnecessary fear through the community,” said McKibbin.
Snares have since been found in the forests near the location, and there have been numerous reports of hunting dogs in the area, said McKibbin.
The leopard has not been seen since the initial footage and it is likely that it has moved away from the area, he said.
He has identified the leopard as a young male that has moved out of its maternal range to avoid pressure from dominant males, and is now looking for a new place to live.
“A non-electrified fence does not deter them, and they are able to go over or under it with ease. However proper electric fences only deter them to some degree,” he said.
This means natural corridors between reserves are of critical importance, so that leopards are able to move safely between areas.
With habitats shrinking due to transformation and development, it is possible that apex predators are going to be dispersing into new areas leading to their status becoming more threatened due to human wildlife conflict, said McKibbin.
“We have to make a concerted conservation effort to ensure these animals are able to continue for years to come.”
The public are urged to report any future sightings of leopards to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife or to the LionHeart Experience.
McKibbin has been involved in Wildlife conservation his whole life, and was involved in leopard specific research with his wife Candice for two years at iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
