South of the Pongola river lies the Somkhanda Game Reserve, which is situated between the Pongola Game Reserve and Zululand Rhino Reserve. The Gumbi community successfully claimed 20,000ha of land in 2005. 16,000ha of this the Gumbi’s consolidated into a single game reserve and 4000ha were set aside for the 650 families that comprise the community. The reserve consolidation involved the dropping of internal fences with three different farms, and gave rise to the Somkhanda Game Reserve. Thanks to the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project, 11 black rhino were released onto the reserve in 2008. Also, many other animals occur here naturally and amongst those are a number of leopards. The Northern Zululand Honorary Rangers have recently concluded their leopard survey and published their results. In brief this is what they did and found:
From July 2010 to December 2010 digital camera traps were set up throughout the reserve, and 13 distinct leopard individuals (+ at least 2 cubs) were photographed and identified, including two adult territorial males. Using a scientific method and formula the leopard density for the area could be calculated and came to approximately 7 leopards per 100 square km, which is quite a decent score for a newly established protected area. A similar study done in the Mun-ya-wane leopard project revealed densities of approximately 11 leopards per 100 km2 in core conservation areas, 7 leopards per 100 km2 in a buffer protected area, and 2 leopards per 100 km2 in unprotected farmland.
The population in Somkhanda appears to include a healthy distribution of adult males, adult females, subadults and cubs further indicating a healthy, growing population. Although the population in Somkhanda appears to be recovering and maintaining better than a comparable reserve, there is still room for population growth, and we believe the population is still vulnerable.
As usual, many other species of animals were also ‘accidentally’ captured on camera. These are two of the most unusual ones.
For the full report, please email Nick.vandewiel@gmail.com. For questions regarding the project email leopardproject@gmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment