Rare red leopard puts region on the map
MPUMALANGA nature conservationist Gerrie Camacho has become the first on record to have collared a red leopard.
Camacho, 50, a carnivore expert for the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, sedated and collared the young male leopard between the towns of Mashishing, in Mpumalanga, and Burgersfort, in Limpopo, on January 7.
“Apart from one sighting in the Madikwe Game Reserve, this is the only area in the world where sightings of a red leopard have been reported,” he said. “It’s extremely exciting that we have eventually managed to collar one of these exceptionally rare animals.”
The leopard’s colour is the result of a genetic mutation called erythrism.
A red leopard was first recorded in 2013, when a female was run over outside Mashishing. “There is a complete ab- sence of black pigmentation in these animals, with the coat taking on a reddish colour,” Camacho said.
“This cannot be linked to albinism, which is the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes due to the absence of melanism. It is something unique.”
In December, Camacho became the first person to capture photographs of a red leopard in the wild. He believes there are at least five of the animals roaming in the area. “Now that we have collared one, we can track its movements and start to stimulate interest among the public. It’s encouraging that these recessive genes are popping up as this could be a big drawcard for tourism in the area.”
Camacho said the collar will also assist in preventing conflict with farmers in the area, who often shoot leopards that prey on their livestock.
“We can alert farmers when the leopard is in their area, and educate them about the rarity of the red leopard.”
The Mashishing area has a healthy population of leopards, including a black leopard, a rare melanistic variant of the African leopard. Melanism is thought to occur in less than 0.5 percent of leopards. Camacho says the red variant is even rarer.
“What makes it even more special is that black leopards occur in other areas of the world, while the red leopard has been documented only here in South Africa. We don’t know why there is so much genetic variation here.”
The scientist hopes that the gene will be passed down through future generations.
“As this male grows and becomes territorial, it will be interesting to see where he settles and whether he will mate,” Camacho said.
“Hopefully the recessive gene will continue and the red leopard population will become a well-known, precious attraction of this area.” – African Eye News Service