Leopard found on the West Rand.

[Ali3n]

My wife told me about this article.

"The carcass of a young leopard found approximately 3.5km from Clear Water Mall on Hendrik Potgieter Road near a construction site on Friday 20 July turned out to tell a much bigger story than might have been expected.

Transported to the Johannesburg Zoo by the Endangered Wildlife Trust carnivore conservation specialist, Kelly Marnewick after it was found by a local resident, the carcass according to Kelly revealed a whole lot about the leopards journey.

According to Kelly the post mortem done by expert Dr Brett Gardner indicted the leopard described as a sub-adult male had died due to pneumonia as a result of an infectious cause.

The possibility of the leopard being hit by a car was quickly elimantated as no sign of external trauma was detected," says Kelly.

According to Kelly the leopard hadn't eaten for a few days and only had a small amount of rotten road kill in his stomach.
"This made him weak," she says

The post mortem according to Kelly also proved that it is unlikely that the leopard was a captive animal, and it is plausible that he is a naturally occurring animal.

Kelly says that young male leopards disperse from their maternal ranges to set up their own territories and often move large distances when doing this.

"He could very likely have originated from the population in The Cradle – leopards have been reported in the Walter Sisulu Gardens – and could very well have used the ridge to avoid humans," she explains.

According to her this highlights how significant the Witwatersrand ridge is.

"There are all sorts of wildlife using the ridge from important plants to porcupines, caracal, black backed jackal, genets and small antelope, "she says.

"Wild leopards are not dangerous to humans and the fact that the first report of this very ill cat was when his carcass was found is testimony that they are shy, illusive animals," concludes Kelly."

[OOOOMS]

Hopefully not someone's pet.....

[krazy_kameleon]

that ridge is awefully close to your house Mark - better keep an eye on your dogs...

[Johan Kriel]

"Wild leopards are not dangerous to humans and the fact that the first report of this very ill cat was when his carcass was found is testimony that they are shy, illusive animals," concludes Kelly."

Wat wie se, jong luiperds word weg gedryf deur grotes uit hulle area uit, en as n stad die enigste 'oop' area is sal hulle daar in trek , en van honde katte ens lewe wat in die area is, en ek eis wat sal gebeur as hy op n kind af kom.

Wat dit eintlik se is die luiperd bevolking raak dalk te veel, maar niemand mag dit waag om te se nie, want dan is daar moeilikheid.

[Racing snake]

Nee wat Johan, ek glo nie daar is te veel nie. Die probleem is te min Range wir hulle.

[Johan Kriel]

Sien daar begin die moeilikhied.

[Hoppy]

Daar's te veel Jack Russels in JHB, hulle staan nie n kans nie!

[OOOOMS]

that ridge is awefully close to your house Mark - better keep an eye on your dogs...

My dog won't mind a guide cat.....

[Ali3n]

that ridge is awefully close to your house Mark - better keep an eye on your dogs...

My dog won't mind a guide cat.....

Datz tru... You might need one too one day.

They are soooo beautifull...

[OOOOMS]

that ridge is awefully close to your house Mark - better keep an eye on your dogs...

My dog won't mind a guide cat.....

Datz tru... You might need one too one day.

They are soooo beautifull...

[zepplin]

that ridge is awefully close to your house Mark - better keep an eye on your dogs...

His dogs will be safe if he gets his light working!!!!

[OOOOMS]

that ridge is awefully close to your house Mark - better keep an eye on your dogs...

His dogs will be safe if he gets his light working!!!!

Tx Steve I will add that to my list

[3 Blind Monkeys]

Sometimes I wish there was a leopard in our neigbourhood to get rid of some barking dogs

[krazy_kameleon]

that ridge is awefully close to your house Mark - better keep an eye on your dogs...

My dog won't mind a guide cat.....

[Rafs]

"Wild leopards are not dangerous to humans and the fact that the first report of this very ill cat was when his carcass was found is testimony that they are shy, illusive animals," concludes Kelly."

Wat wie se, jong luiperds word weg gedryf deur grotes uit hulle area uit, en as n stad die enigste 'oop' area is sal hulle daar in trek , en van honde katte ens lewe wat in die area is, en ek eis wat sal gebeur as hy op n kind af kom.

Wat dit eintlik se is die luiperd bevolking raak dalk te veel, maar niemand mag dit waag om te se nie, want dan is daar moeilikheid.

Daar is nie n oorbevolking nie. Die diere kom natuurlik (naturally) in kliprandjies voor. Hulle is sku. Met die botaniese tuine daar is dit n goeie habitat vir hulle. Mense weet net nie, en sien net nie die diere nie want hulle kyk nie uit vir hulle nie. Jy sou ook nie n luiperd in die Krugerwildtuin sien as jy nie weet hulle is daar nie, want jy gaan nie uitkyk vir hulle nie (tensy hy voor jou in die pad staan). Maar diere word siek en swak as gevolg daarvan en beweeg dan uit hulle habitat uit opsoek na maklike bronne van kos, soos roadkill, soos in die een se geval, en soos ons gesien het toe die siek luiperd by Marloth op die ou se stoep gaan le het en nie wou beweeg nie want hy was te swak, al was hy geterg. As hy gesond was sou niemand van hom geweet het nie, want hy sou in sy habitat gebly het (die klipkoppies), waar hy kon jag vir lewendige kos.

[Johan Kriel]

Ah, heavy duties now. So daar is genoeg katte en honde in die habitat