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When last was a leopard spotted at Addo and does anyone have any pics?

When we were there in Dec 07 I was told that they are not even sure if there is still leopard (s) in the Park.

Just checked out the advertorial in the latest GO magazine and it says " You might be lucky enough to spot a leopard"

As far as I know, there are at least two leopard in the main game area in Addo and then more in the Zuurberg section. One of those in the main game area has been seen a couple of times lately.

I am sure Megan will give hard facts tho

Don't get your hopes up Munchie, rather look for a caracal.

I think the last time a leopard was seen in the main game area was almost a year ago on one of the guided game drives - sunrise drive on Zuurkop lookout. However, the rangers and guides regularly see leopard tracks in the main game area. There are one or two leopards in this area of the park (at least) and many more in the Zuurberg, Kabouga, Darlington areas of the Park. There are also definitely also some in the Woody Cape forests.

The last pic that I know of is one taken by one of our camera traps in the Nyati area of the Park:

Thanks Megan for the info and the pic.

In my notes on Addo... Leopards have been seen in Nyathi Section (Kills etc and a cub) plus leopards are in Zuurberg and Kasouga and darlington. The main game area apparently there was one leopard with a Collar??? at one time...hasnt been seen for a year and hasnt been captured in the camera traps set up...so they believe it is deseased probably. However an HR told me great news that tourists coming from Matholweni have seen a skittish (shy Leopard) on 2 occassions recently near this Southern Camp. Megans Pic shows that there is a good presence of Leopard in Nyathi section

Peter, kindly do not post incorrect information on the forum. Park management does not believe that the leopard which had the collar is deceased as signs such as spoor etc. have been seen regularly. Although signals from the collar have not been received lately, this is most likely due to a technical fault in the collar as does happen.

Hi all,

This is excellent news for our visit as part of our honeymoon in October. I was told that the likelihood of seeing Leopard in Addo was less certain than having a long, happy marriage :-)

It would be great of Forumites to keep this thread going with detail of Leopard sitings in Addo for the forseeable future.

Thanks,

Benn

Benn you can believe me when I made the comment about having a long and happy marriage

I'm equally glad to hear that there are still leopard sightings in the "open section" of Addo even though the last sighting was more than a year ago on a night drive. It means that one day someone might be lucky - hope it's you Benn

In my oppinion; If you manage to see a leopard in Addo, head straight for the nearest lotto machine and play any numbers, because you have the best luck in the world.

Amen NightOwl

Is there any chance of introducing more leopard into the Addo main game area in the near future?

Yes, Munchkin,
It is likely that at least a female leopard (as the known leopard in the area is male) will be introduced into the main game area in the future, when the right opportunity comes along.

The predator situation will be monitored by park management and researchers on an ongoing basis to determine how the populations of leopard, lion, hyena and other predators should be managed.

You got us all excited wit this thread now Megan so please keep us updated on this one. Perhaps you can also safe some of the ones that are constantly in trouble with farmers in the mountain areas of the Eastern Cape.

I wonder if Peter Betts will devorce "his" lions if we have more leopard sightings?

Hardly likely Gerrit

1 I love "my" Lions and

2.I spent my youth on properties in Sabi Sands tracking leopards using spoor to get things going and maybe I have just been unlucky at Addo but I have never heard one calling/seen a kill/ heard the bush warning system (Francolin and Monkeys) revealing the presence of Mr Spots and I have never seen Leopard spoor ...again I must have just been very unlucky because any hint of large cat spoor is like a magnet...I believe the Bushpigs hold the answer here but they cant talk so we will leave it that there is a male leopard with a broken collar on but I know I will never see it in my life time...maybe an intoduced one ...who knows...so the lions have me for a long time still!!