Have you ever seen a leopard in the Western Cape? How about signs of one? Perhaps you or a neighbour have photographed one on a camera trap? Do you have evidence of potential threats to leopards? If you can answer yes to any of these and you have a photo to share, you can become a citizen scientist by contributing to our leopard database.
If you do so during the month of May, you will automatically be entered into a draw to win our fantastic Big Cat Bumper Hamper!
What is the leopard database project?
The Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) is compiling all verifiable observations of leopards, their signs, and threats to leopards across the Western Cape. We are seeking contributions from 2010 onwards and we are especially interested in observations from outside of protected areas. Anyone can upload records to our online portal. Leopard sighting records can consist of camera trap photos, leopard signs (i.e. spoor/tracks, scats/droppings, scratch marks on trees, feeding sites) and direct leopard observations (i.e. visual sightings). Examples of potential threats to leopards include traps (gin traps or cages), the use of poison, leopard roadkill, and livestock depredation events attributed to leopards.
How to submit your records to their database:
Go to app.capeleopard.org.za and follow the steps to create an account. Please note that a photo is required to validate submissions. Submitted data is confidential, anonymized, and stored securely. Each data point must be inputted individually to the online portal, so if you have multiple observations to share or prefer to contribute via email, please contact [email protected] to request a spreadsheet. The data portal is both desktop and mobile-friendly. Being a web-based application, it is compatible with various operating systems and doesn’t need to be downloaded to your mobile device. Just save the link to your phone’s home screen and use it as an app.
One lucky citizen scientist will receive a CLT Big Cat Bumper Hamper filled with goodies including:
• Cape Leopard Trust merchandise (buff, cap, notebook, keychain)
• Cape Leopard Trust English or Afrikaans children’s storybook
• A case of Leopard’s Leap Chardonnay Pinot Noir plus a wine tasting for 6 people
• A bottle of Ginsmith gin
• An 8-pack of Cederberg Brewery beer
• A Hi-Tec basic backpack
• An ORMS voucher to the value of R500
• A signed copy of Deon Meyer’s book ‘Woman in the Blue Cloak’ / ‘Die Vrou in die Blou Mantel’
• A printed photo of a local leopard autographed by Pieter-Steph du Toit
Competition rules and terms:
• The winner will be drawn from the list of individuals who submit a record during the months of April and May 2021.
• To be entered into the draw, the record must be verified as a leopard by our team and the record has to be from the Western Cape.
• Individual names (and not records) are entered into the draw, and each name is only entered once.
• Individuals who prefer to submit records via email (rather than via the online portal) in their personal capacity are eligible, but not representatives of organisations.
• Entries are open to anyone residing within South Africa and aged 18 or above
• Entries close on 31 May 2021 at midnight, and the winner will be announced by the end of June via email and on the CLT social media channels.
PICTURE: Getaway Gallery
