Key Takeaways
- Leopards are recolonizing the West Coast and areas close to Cape Town after an absence of over 170 years
- Conservation efforts, increased landowner tolerance, and the end of organized vermin hunting have created space for leopard recovery
- The recolonization offers rare evidence that coexistence is possible in production landscapes despite ongoing biodiversity loss pressures
- At least five individual leopards have been confirmed between Cape Town and the West Coast National Park through ongoing monitoring
- The leopard recolonization is unusual, as leopards typically survive in rugged mountain terrain with limited human activity, but are now found in flat coastal areas close to urban Cape Town
Introduction to Leopard Recolonization
The West Coast leopard recolonization is a significant conservation success story, with new evidence confirming that leopards are once again moving through parts of the West Coast and areas close to Cape Town. This update follows a recent service of field cameras by conservation NGO Landmark, which has monitored the species since 2019. The findings were shared in a public conservation update, supported by ongoing field research and camera trap data. The results mark a significant shift after more than 170 years of absence caused by human-driven extermination.
Historical Context of Leopard Extinction
Leopards disappeared from the West Coast, Swartland, and Cape Peninsula in the 1800s after sustained bounty hunting. The last recorded leopard was shot in Camps Bay in the 1860s, followed by another in Hout Bay in the 1930s. The extermination of leopards was a result of human activities, and the species was thought to be extinct in the region. However, the recent findings suggest that leopards are recolonizing isolated habitat patches, including flat coastal areas close to urban Cape Town. This is unusual, as leopards typically survive in rugged mountain terrain with limited human activity.
Conservation Efforts and Leopard Recovery
Landmark’s long-running study confirms that leopards are recolonizing the West Coast, with at least five individual leopards confirmed between Cape Town and the West Coast National Park through ongoing monitoring. The organization has not disclosed specific locations to reduce the risk to the animals. The increased landowner tolerance, conservation partnerships, and the end of organized vermin hunting have created space for recovery. The West Coast leopard recolonization offers rare evidence that coexistence is possible in production landscapes, despite ongoing biodiversity loss pressures. Peer-reviewed research documenting leopard recolonization in areas such as Piketberg was published in the journal Conservation.
Implications of Leopard Recolonization
The leopard recolonization has significant implications for conservation efforts and human-wildlife coexistence. The fact that leopards are thriving in flat coastal areas close to urban Cape Town suggests that it is possible for humans and wildlife to coexist, even in production landscapes. The recolonization also highlights the importance of conservation efforts, including increased landowner tolerance and the end of organized vermin hunting. The West Coast leopard recolonization is a rare example of a species recovering from extinction, and it provides valuable lessons for conservation efforts elsewhere.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The West Coast leopard recolonization is a significant conservation success story, with implications for human-wildlife coexistence and conservation efforts. The recolonization is a result of increased landowner tolerance, conservation partnerships, and the end of organized vermin hunting. The fact that leopards are thriving in flat coastal areas close to urban Cape Town suggests that it is possible for humans and wildlife to coexist, even in production landscapes. Further research and conservation efforts are needed to ensure the long-term survival of leopards in the region and to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife. The West Coast leopard recolonization is a rare example of a species recovering from extinction, and it provides valuable lessons for conservation efforts elsewhere.
