What did you say? A leopard, where?
The severely injuired leopard swam towards the rescuers and is lifted onto the kayak while the tranquilliser takes effect.
A thorough examination in the light by SANParks veterinarian, David Zimmerman, revealed serious injuries and a poor prognosis for the young female leopard.
What started off as a typical day ended on an eventful note after the Tsitsikamma management team received news that resulted in an unusual rescue operation. While accustomed to dealing with emergencies, this was no ordinary call, and it left everyone with a sense of disbelief. Kayakers reported a leopard perched precariously on a rock face in the Storms River Gorge – the animal appeared injured and in distress.
Working in unpredictable environments, the management team left nothing to chance and responded promptly by contacting regional ecologist Jessica Hayes to coordinate the necessary assistance. Drs David Zimmerman, SANParks Veterinary Wildlife Services, and Greg Hofmeyr, Bayworld Museum, hastily made the two-hour drive from Gqeberha. Storms River and Oyster Bay NSRI duty crews and Tsitsikamma rangers were mobilised and ready.
Four rescue crafts set out into the rough wintery ocean to access the rugged Storms River mouth. SANParks’ “Spirit of Tsitsikamma” rubber duck slowly approached the area of the reported sighting. The light was fading, rain had settled in and it was almost high tide. Would the leopard still be on the ledge and could it be retrieved safely? With torch and cell phone lights, a young female was spotted clinging to the rocks, her hindquarters submerged by the incoming tide. Rescue teams stood ready while David prepared the capture cocktail and Greg made a makeshift noose using rope and a broomstick. Within a minute the leopard was darted and, as if she knew the team was there to help, swam towards the boat. Greg lifted her onto a kayak with the noose where she rested until she was sedated, lifted into the boat and the rescue craft returned to the slipway to inspect her condition.
Out of the rain and in the light, it became clear that both hindlimb femurs were fractured. The severity of her injuries resulted in a very poor prognosis for this wild leopard. The extensive trauma suggested that she had fallen from a great height while hunting or due to conflict with another leopard. After the immense and extraordinary team effort, the most humane option was to euthanise the young female, another loss to the dwindling leopard numbers in the Eastern and Western Cape.
This article was written by Jessica Hayes, David Zimmerman and Victor Mokoena and originally published in the 2022/2023 Research Report.
