IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Daly, B.; Power, J.; Carmanch, G.; Traylor-Holzer, K.; Barber, S.; Catterall, S.; Fletcher, P.; Martins, Q.; Martins, N.; Owen, C.; Thal, T.; Friedmann, Y. (eds) | |
| Leopard (_Panthera pardus_) population and habitat viability assessment | |
| 2005 Full Book | |
Fundamental to the effective management and conservation of any species is a reliable estimation of population size, distribution and trends. This information is generally unknown for the Leopard (_Panthera pardus_) throughout its range in Africa, including South Africa. Despite the fact that accurate information on the status of this species is minimal, decisions regarding its future are frequently taken and the species continues to be hunted, persecuted and forced out of its natural range. In 2004, South Africa and Namibia applied for, and had approved, an increase in their Leopard CITES quotas, effectively allowing an increase in the numbers of Leopards killed for trophies by foreign hunters. Yet it has been proven that estimates of Leopard numbers in South Africa are hopelessly inaccurate and many other organisations and countries, opposing these increased quotas, urged South Africa to undertake Leopard censusing and research as a matter of urgency before allowing the increased off-take to be implemented. For the Leopard, as with most species, habitat loss and degradation is the foremost threat to survival. However our limited knowledge and understanding of Leopard home range requirements in different habitats and forms of land-use, along with the fragmentation of Leopard habitats and our lack of knowledge about the availability, feasibility and use of corridors between fragmented habitats, compounds the threats facing this species. At present no data exist to allow for the determination of an optimal off-take of Leopards. Accurate information on the illegal killing of Leopards is almost non-existent and the impact of current Leopard losses is virtually impossible to determine. This, coupled with insufficient ecological information to guide appropriate decision-making on Leopard utilisation and poor implementation of current legislation, was highlighted as serious issues which require urgent attention. |
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