The long awaited 2023 Panthera report is here. The survey suggests there has been a decline in the leopard population in the Western Soutpansberg over the last year, which is a potential concern. But we should always be cautious in over interpreting the results from a single year since a number of factors can influence the density estimates. This survey does show that the population has a relatively stable sex ratio and population structure, although the spatial distribution of leopards may have shifted. Continued long-term monitoring is essential to provide more information on the state and stability of the population. The Primate and Predator Project has permanent camera traps in field to monitor the leopard population in the Western Soutpansberg and we will support Panthera with their 2024 survey early next year.
