Become a leopard citizen scientist

The Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) has launched a new initiative that calls on residents of the Western Cape, and visitors, to pitch in. They want to create a leopard database for the province, which is no small feat considering how elusive these big cats are.

Leopards in the Cape face multiple threats like habitat loss and fragmentation, falling prey numbers and conflict with humans. The aim of the database project is to assess suitable habitat for leopards and identify viable ecological corridors for them to move through.

“The largest proportion of available leopard habitat is on private property,” says Anita Wilkinson, a senior researcher at the CLT. “That’s why it’s important for us to involve private landowners and managers.”

How to contribute: Visit app.capeleopard.org.za and follow the steps to create an account. You now have access to the CLT’s data portal and you’re what’s known as a “citizen scientist”.

If you come across any sign of a leopard, photograph the evidence and upload it to the portal. You will need to make a note of the date and location. Signs include everything from an actual leopard sighting to recordings on camera traps, tracks, scat, scratch marks on trees, and anything you might suspect to be a leopard kill. The CLT also wants to know about threats – traps like cages and snares, and livestock killed by leopards. Photos of the evidence are essential.

Mine your archive: The CLT is looking for information that dates back as far as 2010. If you have large quantities of data or you’d prefer to submit via e-mail, contact rcdirector@capeleopard.org.za

Bonus! All records submitted during April and May will be entered into a lucky draw to win an exclusive goodie hamper.