Now for the really amazing news… “Johan” is cruising over an even larger area than previously expected. We have now downloaded several hundred GPS fixes which show that he is regularly utilizing an area of well over 600km2. This news, though exciting and awe inspiring, is also very daunting. What happens if by some chance he gets killed by someone – an unsuspecting victim of a ‘typical’ problem animal situation? Luckily we have a brilliant understanding with all the farmers in the Cederberg, who are doing their utmost to support the project and find new means to protect their livestock – but with such a massive home range, he is moving over many landowners properties. We have begun to communicate with these landowners, hoping that the holistic approach to problem animal management Cape Nature & the CLT are promoting will convince them not to indiscriminately set gin traps or poison to “take out” a possible stock thief.

Jaco van Deventer and Johan Burger (Cape Nature) have been the backbone in dealing with problem animals here in the western Cape. It is incredible to work with these guys who fit the description of Nature Conservation so well with their passion and dedication to their work. Keep it up!!

Very special thanks must go to Rika du Plessis (Cederberg/Matjiesriver manager – Cape Nature) for all her time and effort in assisting with the project. She has been amazing! We are in the process of helping Rika get her Master’s project running on the diet of leopards in the Cederberg. This is a real ‘scat’ job...

“Houdini”
Flat battery! The bugger! After all the effort and now he has a flat battery – well, actually the GPS component has run flat, which means we can still track him with VHF, but cannot download any more GPS fixes. There was a slight hitch in our testing the collar which resulted in more battery power being used up than expected. This is a set back, but we have set cage traps for him again with the aim to put a new collar on him soon. EcoAires Peter Turnbull, who “adopted” him at our last fundraising event, is quite excited to have an opportunity of seeing ‘his’ cat when we capture him – and that is “when” and not “if”.

GPS Collars
Our following shipment of collars should be arriving soon, which would include collars for the females – 300g collars small enough for our little ladies.

Nicole’s Genetic work
The clock is ticking away, and it is just over 2 weeks before Nicole returns from Norway. Need I say more…!!!!!!

Dr Martins I presume…??
Yes, it’s true. I have accepted an offer to undertake a PhD through the University of Bristol, U.K. Fours years of hell (having me as a student) for my brilliant supervisor, Prof. Steve Harris, and 4 years of bliss for me working with these cats. Steve and his dear wife Alex spent a week on the project and seemed to fall in love with this incredible wilderness. Added to that, the prospects of trying to unravel the mysteries of the ecology of such an elusive felid in this harsh mountainous terrain sold Steve on the project.
Bristol University have sponsored me 6000 pounds a year, over half of what subsidies are required to graduate at this prestigious institution.

Dassie study
Our Colorado student, Sarah Smith, has arrived to conduct a pilot study on the health of our Dassie (Rock Hyrax) populations here in the Cederberg. Bill Horsnell, an expert immunologist from the University of Cape Town, as well Sonya Matthee (Stellenbosch University) will assist Sarah in this project. Rika du Plessis & Jaco van Deventer (both Cape Nature) as well as Dr Andre van der Merwe (Piketberg vet) will help us with the practical elements of capturing these guys in cage traps so as not to do any destructive sampling. Photo: Sarah with something somewhat larger than a dassie.

Tankwa camera trap survey
Black leopards in the Tankwa…maybe…but we have not captured any of them during the course of our 6 week camera trap survey in this spectacular national park. No leopards, not even caracal. However, we got some good pics of some other hardy creatures living out there. African wildcat, black backed jackal, honey badger, aardwolf, kudu, grey duiker and grey rhebuck were just some of the animals photographed.

On a special note – FUJI Film/Teltron has delivered yet another package of sponsored fresh, new 400 ASA Fuji print film for our camera trapping survey. We would, at the end of the year, like to do a display some of the best pics from these camera traps using their film. There are some absolutely brilliant shots of animals in the Cederberg. Thanks for all your support!!

PRESENTATIONS AND LEOPARD FORUMS
Presentations
I have recently had the opportunity to conduct a presentation at the EWT/Cape Nature workshop on the holistic approach to problem animal control. This 3 day workshop held in April was brilliant!!! Nationwide – farmers, conservationists, researchers, representatives from the wool and meat industries – all gathered to hammer out the problems we face in dealing with so-called problem animals. The presentations were fascinating and we were riveted to our chairs as farmers showed how they could become proactive and go as far as to design their own means to protect their livestock as well as protect predators. Innovative designs, careful observations and understanding of the circumstances of predation have led to a number of individuals making a difference in their environment. I am pleased to say that we can boast about how much effort is being put into this on our doorstep here in the Cederberg. Compliments to all for a very successful beginning to change the extraordinarily poor way in which we manage our natural resources.

BATELEURS - Flying for Conservation (www.bateleurs.org)
Once again, we must thank the Bateleurs and their amazing pilots, Johan Ferreira (the Red T company) and Jock Kannemeyer for their dedication to the project. Johan has, as mentioned above been incredible! Thank you for everything!! Jock will be doing a flight to track “Johan” in his helicopter in a couple of week’s time.

NEW SPONSORS AND DONATIONS
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve
Not only are we treated to some exquisite cuisine, but Bushmans Kloof continue to put their money where their mouth is. They have just contributed another whopping R60 000 towards the project. Is this true “eco-tourism” or what?
In addition to receiving funds, we have made an effort to create as much awareness on the reserve as well as educate the rangers in leopard ecology and monitoring projects. Two young ladies, Samantha (resident ecologist and reserve manager) and Aneri (Head ranger) have cracked the whip and have all the rangers scurrying to collect leopard scats, signs of leopard spoor and now also the monitoring of a leopard cage trap the CLT has set on the property to capture and collar a leopard with the 3rd of their sponsored GPS collars. Keep up the good work!
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