Monthly newsletter - October & November 2023
Monthly newsletter - October & November 2023
6000km to reinforce Ingwe Leopard Research
Dear supporters and contributors,
I'm delighted to present our newsletter summarizing the strides taken in the last two months, encompassing the developments that held back the October publication. The collective efforts and remarkable progress within this period deserve recognition and appreciation.
Let's delve into the advancements that have shaped the Ingwe Leopard Research project and its collaborative network during this period.
Field trip to foster partnerships and reinforce Ingwe Leopard Research
My recent 25-day journey spanning 6000km, from Cape Town to Hoedspruit and back, was a significant milestone in furthering the Ingwe Leopard Research project. One of the primary objectives of this expedition was to solidify Ingwe Leopard Research as a leading force in conservation and research within Hoedspruit. With an emphasis on strengthening existing partnerships and forging new connections, this excursion proved invaluable. Over 30 meetings were held with both current and potential partners and through a series of six presentations, efforts were made to secure buy-in, leading to an increased flow of invaluable data submissions. As a direct result, the project has witnessed escalating interest, attracting diverse entities eager to engage and contribute.
An integral discussion was held with a major partner concerning the spectrum of internship opportunities available for students, primarily focusing on aiding data analysis. Additionally, through On Track Safaris (owner of Ingwe), a collaborative effort is underway to curate conservation safaris. These immersive experiences aim to educate guests about wildlife conservation by participating in various activities, including interacting with anti-poaching units, understanding the snaring issues and creating craft for awareness, fostering orphaned animals, among others.
Subscribing to the newsletter will ensure being among the first to explore these limited-seat safaris, benefiting both Ingwe and the participating conservation organizations financially.
New reserves and partners joining Ingwe Leopard Research
I am thrilled to announce the inclusion of new partners into the Ingwe Leopard Research initiative. Siyafunda Conservation, operating in Makalali Game Reserve, is now part of our collaboration, combining data from this expansive 23,000ha reserve. Similarly, Selati Game Reserve's research team has joined, enhancing our database with their longstanding leopard data.
An integral addition to our collaborative efforts, BushWise, the preeminent guiding school in South Africa, has embraced the mantle of nurturing the next generation of conservation stewards. Covering Manyeleti Game Reserve and the South African Wildlife College, BushWise is poised to unleash a cohort of 28 passionate students in January 2024. In a recent masterclass session that I delivered, these aspiring guides exhibited an exceptional eagerness to contribute to leopard conservation. Their active participation and thought-provoking inquiries indicate a promising future for their engagement with our project. Notably, as these students undertake placements in various lodges and reserves, they are poised to become impactful ambassadors for the Ingwe Leopard Research initiative. This collaboration marks a significant stride towards fostering a new breed of conservationists who will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in safeguarding leopard populations.
Additionally, BushVeld Bivouac and Kataza, two smaller properties, have joined our endeavor, generously sharing their leopard footages. Collectively, these additions have expanded our coverage area to 174,584ha in the Hoedspruit region, marking a substantial increase of 56,089 ha compared to September.
Data submissions and progress
Gratitude is extended to the 25 reserves that submitted camera trap images and sightings data over the past two months. In 2023, we amassed 3487 leopard images from 2463 encounters (an encounter is a sighting of a single animal at a specific location, date and time) contributing significantly to our comprehensive dataset.
The top contributors, excluding Kruger National Park, include Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, Kapama Game Reserve, Olifants West Nature Reserve through Transfrontier Africa and Pondoro Game Lodge, Marataba Game Reserve in the Waterberg, and with Rietspruit Game Reserve and Raptors View Wildlife Estate sharing the same spot. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of leopard populations.
A heartfelt thank you to all partners for their unwavering dedication and relentless efforts towards leopard conservation. Your contributions continue to propel this project forward, nurturing a brighter future for these magnificent creatures.
Stay tuned for further updates and developments in our journey to protect and conserve leopards.