Modern Weights and Measurements of Leopards

[Pckts]

From AfriCat Namibia:

NEW UNKNOWN LEOPARD COLLARED
Team AfriCat collared a new male leopard last night. A seemingly old male approx. 8 - 10 years.

Body Measurements:
Weight: 67 kg
Shoulder height: 76 cm
Body length: 82 cm

He is in good physical condition with no visible injuries, we collared, microchipped and gave him a rabies shot. After allowing him time to recover from last nights immobilization, we released him this morning.

We have a large presence of leopards within the Okonjima Nature Reserve that lived in the area before we completed the boundary fence in 2010. The AfriCat/Okonjima Predator Prey Density Study, has given us the opportunities to research the number of unknown cats that occur within the 22 000ha park area! Giving us a chance to understanding their territories and learn more about their behaviour as a species.

The Okonjima Nature Reserve (Lat/Lon: 20º49’19.36’’S, 16º38’21.25’’E) is located in central Namibia approximately 50 km south of Otjiwarongo and compromises a total area of 22 000 ha. The study area is semi-arid and characterized by a marked seasonality. The annual precipitation averages approximately 450 mm. The Okonjima farm boundary traces a central plateau, on average an altitude of 1 600 meters, surrounded by the Omboroko Mountains. The vegetation can be mainly described as tree- and scrub savannah, interspersed with Yellow wood (Terminalia sericea) and several Acacia-species. Artificially constructed water reservoirs ensure the perennial supply of surface water.

Okonjima was used intensively for the purpose of cattle farming from 1920 until 1993. Since then the private nature reserve has been used for carnivore rehabilitation and non-consumptive use of wildlife through eco-tourism.

The reserve is surrounded by a 96 km electrified perimeter fence, completed in 2010, and is bordered entirely by commercial farmland. An additional fence is erected within the reserve and creates a 20 000 ha reserve for carnivore rehabilitation and a 2 000 ha "lodge area" that includes lodges and campsites as well as the AfriCat headquarters and the Environmental Education Centre.

Leopards as well as brown hyenas (Hyena brunnae) occur naturally within the borders while cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are part of AfriCat’s rehabilitation program that have been released into the area. Lions (Panthera leo) are absent from the study area. Thus, leopards belong to the apex predators in the reserve that are playing an important role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem.

#AfriCat #namibia #carnivore #conservation #leopard #research #survival #park #nonprofit
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