The Cape Leopard Project of the Landmark Foundation
12th July 2008
As you may or may not know, the leopards found a special place in my heart when I was in South Africa earlier this year. Therefore, I was looking to find an organisation that supports and protects these beautiful animals. I found this in form of the Cape Leopard project of the Landmark Foundation.
The Landmark Foundation is based in South Africa and has a special project around the leopards of the western region of the Eastern Cape, and for that matter nationwide. This Leopard and Predator Project will aim to address persecution of predators, and leopards in particular, by establishing a:
• Predator rescue, rehabilitation, release
• Implementing holistic predator management strategies focus on non-lethal controls of predator – farmer conflicts
• Research project
• Advocacy campaign to outlaw gin and poison traps which are inhumane, unethical and ecologically unacceptable
• Developing environmentally friendly meat and animal fibre brands
• Developing expansion of predator-friendly habitats through expanding reserves and collaboration with farmers.
In the Northeastern parts of the country the danger for leopards (common African leopards) appears to be primarily coming from other predators, in particular for the young ones. I learnt at the time that the survival chance for leopard cubs is small. This is primarily because of other predators like lions and hyenas, but also because of male leopards killing cubs, which are not theirs (I think this is common among other predators like lions as well).
The danger that is addressed by the Landmark Foundation is different, but adds significantly to endangering the existence of the Cape Mountain Leopard. It would be great, if we could make a difference for the leopards and help this species to survive.
You can find out more about this project and the organisation itself via their web page:
http://www.landmarkfoundation.org.za/leopard.htm
Barbara
P.S.: Please note that the photos on my web page do not (yet) include the Cape Mountain Leopard, which is the animal, the leopard project of the Landmark Foundation focus on. The photos on my web page include the common African leopard.
The Landmark Foundation is based in South Africa and has a special project around the leopards of the western region of the Eastern Cape, and for that matter nationwide. This Leopard and Predator Project will aim to address persecution of predators, and leopards in particular, by establishing a:
• Predator rescue, rehabilitation, release
• Implementing holistic predator management strategies focus on non-lethal controls of predator – farmer conflicts
• Research project
• Advocacy campaign to outlaw gin and poison traps which are inhumane, unethical and ecologically unacceptable
• Developing environmentally friendly meat and animal fibre brands
• Developing expansion of predator-friendly habitats through expanding reserves and collaboration with farmers.
In the Northeastern parts of the country the danger for leopards (common African leopards) appears to be primarily coming from other predators, in particular for the young ones. I learnt at the time that the survival chance for leopard cubs is small. This is primarily because of other predators like lions and hyenas, but also because of male leopards killing cubs, which are not theirs (I think this is common among other predators like lions as well).
The danger that is addressed by the Landmark Foundation is different, but adds significantly to endangering the existence of the Cape Mountain Leopard. It would be great, if we could make a difference for the leopards and help this species to survive.
You can find out more about this project and the organisation itself via their web page:
http://www.landmarkfoundation.org.za/leopard.htm
Barbara
P.S.: Please note that the photos on my web page do not (yet) include the Cape Mountain Leopard, which is the animal, the leopard project of the Landmark Foundation focus on. The photos on my web page include the common African leopard.