SUMMARY
This study determined the home-range size of male and female leopards in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa by use of radio-telemetry. Activity patterns were also examined. Estimates were made of the reserves’ population size from known animals and home-range size. Two female leopards on Madikwe Game Reserve had an average home-range size of 34,68 ± 4,02 km2 and one male had a home-range of 54,41 km2. The expected minimum home-range size for males on the reserve that would satisfy nutritional requirements is 55,57 km2. The leopard population on the reserve is estimated to consist of between 29 and 44 resident adults with sub-adults and cubs also present. The leopards on the reserve were most active daily between 03h00 and 06h00 and least active between 12h00 and 15h00. They moved up to 7,40 km (female) and 9,87 km (male) per day. On average, males moved greater distances daily (2,61 km) than females (1,79 km). Removal of leopards, particularly males, from the population should have minimal impact, provided that quotas remain conservative.
INTRODUCTION
Major international publicity about the leopard (Panthera pardus) was first created by the East African Professional Hunters Association when it voluntarily stopped hunting the species to draw awareness to the extent it was being poached. In 1973, the leopard was listed in Appendix 1 of the International Convention On Trade in Endangered Species. Three years later, the IUCN classified the leopard as an endangered species. At the time, very few studies had been conducted on the leopard’s conservation status or population dynamics and these decisions were not based on scientific evidence. The elusiveness and secrecy of the leopard in the proximity of man, coupled with immense bias in the assessment of its status due to it being favored over other large predators may have influenced this classification. Solitary felids, like the leopard are notoriously difficult to study and most data on ecology and behavior are scant (Stander et al. 1997). Due to this, the uncertainty has led to some population estimates receiving heavy criticism (Norton 1990). Its status is still poorly understood in some areas.
While public sentiment favors protectionism in developed countries, in developing countries, it is economic incentives which are required to conserve wildlife. The leopard is highly valued by trophy hunters, ranking higher in value than most African game species. It is therefore worth managing as an important resource. Trophy hunting is a controllable, non-commercial but potentially economically important tool for the utilization of wildlife and should therefore not be discouraged. Regulated use of the leopard is warranted provided there is sufficient evidence to indicate that this is sustainable.
Leopards are not exempt from the utilization of large mammals which takes place annually on Madikwe Game Reserve and its surrounding areas. While hunting quotas of leopard within the reserve remain conservative, rumors abound regarding the illicit utilization of leopards on Madikwe’s borders. The sustainability of hunting and the conservation of this species within the 75 000ha reserve, as well as on the adjoining properties has therefore been questioned.
The position occupied by leopards at the top of the food chain makes them vulnerable to disturbance at any level in the ecosystem. They in turn can also affect the populations of their prey species, and knowledge of the role they play in any system is imperative for management of the system. Therefore as with any species, the conservation and management of the leopard requires an understanding of its ecology. This study has been conducted in order to improve the understanding of the local leopard ecology. This has been done by determining home range sizes, which together with other data has been used to estimate the total number of leopard within the reserve. It is hoped that the information will be of value in the management of the Madikwe Game Reserve leopard population and the establishment of quotas. Data are compared with available accounts in the literature.