Brandy the much publicised female leopard has been the
subject of research by the North West Province’s conservation department’s
ecologist, John Power, for the last two years. Brandy remains one of the few
free roaming leopards in South Africa’s Magaliesberg Mountains, hence the
reason for the department’s endeavour to keep her monitored and protected. The
findings from such a study can have significant impact on the success of free
roaming leopard in other more developed parts of Africa too. Although the
project has been predominantly state funded, some aspects have required private
funding, owing to a constrained fiscus. C4 Photo Safaris has been a proud
sponsor of the leopard project collars, and this has allowed the department to
monitor the progress and movement of Brandy on a day to day basis.
In September 2014 John noticed that Brandy’s signal had
remained static for a few days, so he and his team set off to investigate why
this was so – mindful that this was concerning. Sadly they found that Brandy
had been captured in a snare and was severely injured. John and his team
snapped straight into action, and found that due to the rugged terrain they
could not drive up to her, and it was also too dangerous to approach her on
foot, so they opted to dart her from the air via a hovering helicopter.
Afterwards, while immobilised, her wounds were flushed, and she was subsequently
airlifted to Johannesburg from whence she was stabilised for a fortnight. It is
thanks to the satellite collar that this was all possible. After extensive
medical attention from at least three veterinarians at the Joburg Zoo, she was
released back into the Magaliesberg in a much improved physical condition. This
was such that she could have the chance to rear her cubs – as X-rays revealed
three cubs!
For a few months afterwards there was no sign of denning
behaviour, until the middle of November 2014, when camera traps were placed at
a suspected den – and a few days later – one cub was revealed! This was great success
in that considering the ordeal that she had been through, she was still able to
reproduce, which is the gauge of success for any conservation efforts. The
department’s conservation efforts are visible through Brandy’s remarkable
comeback. This is a significant addition of genetic material as well as
valuable scientific data that is being received firm Brandy and for the
somewhat dwindling free roaming leopard population in parts of South Africa. This
is one step towards saving the leopards of the Magaliesberg and maintaining the
populations of free roaming leopards in Africa as a whole. Well done to the
department and the team for their positive impact n wildlife conservation as a
whole. C4 Photo Safaris is very happy to help with initiatives that have such a
positive conservation result. Since C4 Photo Safaris ultimately benefits from
the photographic appeal of leopards in many of Africa’s game reserves, we see
his as an opportunity to give back to leopards that are in trouble in the more
disturbed parts of the continent – such as the outskirts of the metropolis of
Johannesburg, which is where the Magaliesberg is situated.
We look forward to watching the developments of Brandy and
her cub over the months and years and also look forward to further sponsoring of
more collars for this and other projects.
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| Magaliesberg Biosphere, blue dots indicate Brandy's location |
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