Leopard rehabilitation successful

Wildcare received two leopard cubs following a confiscation from a canned hunting operation. The cubs were hand raised. Getting permits to release leopard was considered impossible and we accepted that the leopards would have to be placed in some kind of sanctuary or permanent captivity. Thus no attempts were made to keep the cubs wild.

Dr Douw Grobler persuaded us that a release was possible and against all odds and with great trepidation...we agreed...and the leopards were taken down to Kwandwe for release.

The male adapted rapidly and was soon hunting and coping well, and very importantly, avoided people. The female started to move closer to human activity and it was decided to move her to Shamwari - a longer release process was undertaken.

Both leopards were fitted with radio collars; three messages daily are sent to the managers cell phone; and a special signal is sent if the leopard moves close to boundary fences to too close to human habitation.

The male at Kwandwe has been sighted and is coping really well and is believed to have fathered some cubs. The female at Shamwari was recently sighted.....with a happy, healthy cub of aproximately 8 months old.

Leopard rehabilitation can be done - and what is even more interesting is that these leopard were never taught to hunt and were never exposed to live prey prior to release.

Will keep you posted. Thanks to Douw, Kwandwe, Shamwari and staff.
Karen T