Two leopards were positively identified on camera trap footage from the De Hoop Nature Reserve, by a collaborative effort of the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, Landmark Foundation and CapeNature.
The Morukuru Foundation said in a blog this week, camera traps were placed at various locations in the reserve, back in February 2025.
The leopards were among 4,223 images of over 50 days downloaded by the project team. Other big mammals snapped are caracal, porcupine, honey badger, baboon, bush pig and Cape Grysbok.
Ed Zeeman, co-founder of Morukuru Family and the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation said “this is an incredibly hopeful moment, to confirm the presence of not one, but two leopards. It is a testament to the power of patient, long-term conservation work – and meaningful collaboration. It underscores our shared commitment to protecting not only leopards but the broader biodiversity of De Hoop.”
Leopards are as crucial as they are beautiful.
As apex predators, they help regulate prey populations and maintain ecological balance, in the reserve.
Zeeman said “they’re also a symbol of why conservation and connection go hand in paw.”
Picture: Morukuru Goodwill Foundation