Leopard in the wild

Leopard at Rooiels 2013 Photo by Tertius Gous

This photo was taken in the mountains abutting False Bay near Rooiels. What a fantastic experience it must have been to see this leopard in the wild, not in a game reserve - living proof that they have survived despite human habitation close by. It must be the inhospitable and inaccessible nature of the terrain that has enabled the leopard to remain in the area, although I am quite sure that traps have been set by locals to snare these magnificent animals, which pose a threat to man's farming activities. It is hard to imagine that someone could even contemplate killing a leopard just to save a sheep or two - sad that money has taken precedence over life.

Whenever we drive along the scenic route that hugs the towering Hottentots Holland range, with its rugged crags absolutely devoid of vegetation, I scan the slopes for signs of leopard - a useless occupation with my eyesight! - and seeing this photograph is sufficient evidence to know that they are still there and hope that there is more than one. Let's hold thumbs that successful breeding increases the population, which as far as I am aware is the natural predator of the local baboons. That in itself should serve as an incentive for preservation of the leopard population, as the baboons cause havoc when raiding the little seaside villages along the False Bay coast.