Monthly newsletter - September 2025
Spots on the line - conserving leopards in South Africa
Ingwe Research Program Featured in Africa Geographic: Read “Spots on the Line”
We are thrilled to announce that Africa Geographic has published yet another article spotlighting our critical work in leopard conservation! The piece, titled “Spots on the line – saving Hoedspruit’s leopards,” details the urgent need to protect these magnificent carnivores whose lives are increasingly threatened by urbanisation and road fatalities in the Greater Kruger area.
We invite you to read the full article and see how your support is making a tangible difference:
Your donation is the engine of change
The Africa Geographic article not only showcases our achievements but also highlights the sheer scale of the data we manage and the enormous potential of the Ingwe Research Program to scale up our impact.
Since 2022, we’ve received an astounding 14,666 camera trap images of leopards from our dedicated partners and citizen scientists, translating into 11,403 unique observations in our area of operation! This incredible dataset has steadily grown year after year, demonstrating the increasing engagement and the ever-expanding scope of our work. So far in 2025, we are already closing in on last year’s record, with only 1,000 images separating us from beating it again. Will we do it?
Imagine how much more we could achieve with a full team of dedicated researchers and conservationists. Your donation is a direct investment in making this a reality, giving us the capacity to truly analyze this wealth of data and protect South Africa’s leopards more effectively.
Every contribution allows us to sustain and expand our vital work, which includes sustaining Ingwe’s Core Work by continuing our vital Road Ecology Project to reduce road fatalities, expanding our Leopard Monitoring database, and enhancing coexistence strategies in wildlife estates.
Unlocking Our Future: Two High-Impact Projects
Your support is the key to launch one critical, high-impact initiative mentioned in the Africa Geographic article:
Ecological Corridor Survey: This project will be a game-changer, illuminating and securing crucial corridor zones between the Greater Kruger and the Blyde River Canyon. Understanding these routes is essential to maintaining genetic connectivity and safeguarding the leopard population’s future.
And to test the feasibility of another project:
Community-Led Camera-Trap Initiative: Inspired by successful programs in Tanzania, this initiative aims to empower local communities to own and place camera traps. Community members will earn tangible benefits based on the wildlife they photograph. This approach fosters a crucial sense of stewardship, strengthens coexistence between humans and wildlife, and acts as a powerful deterrent against snaring and poaching in high-risk areas.
How you can help leopards today
No matter how modest, your donation drives leopard conservation forward.
A US$100 donation pays for a whole day spent identifying areas where leopards need more help, and various operational costs.
A US$1,000 donation helps us cover 25 days in the field and operational costs, accelerating our research and impact.
Together, we can keep South Africa’s leopards roaming free and thriving.
Road Ecology Project: A Glimpse into the Wildlife Corridors
Our Road Ecology Project continues to deliver fascinating insights into how wildlife interacts with the busy R40 road environment. The data gathered from the 56 camera traps we deployed to monitor the underpasses has been incredible!
Camera trap species count: a biodiversity snapshot
While the primary goal is monitoring culvert usage, our camera traps—some strategically placed within properties along the R40 to reduce theft risk—captured a stunning diversity of life.
The first section of road captured 36 different species.
The second section captured 42 different species.
In total, we documented 48 different species!
Though we don’t expect animals like giraffe or hippos to use a culvert, it’s always fun to scroll through these images and get a glimpse into the behaviour of so many species living in this shared landscape.
Leopard identification and culvert use
We have now completed the identification of leopards using the culverts in the first section of the road, and the results are encouraging:
The Black Dot female proved to be a master of safe crossing, using five different culverts.
A new male, dubbed the Corkwood male, used three culverts.
The mother Bokamoso and her little one also used three culverts.
Most intriguing was observing both the Corkwood male and Bokamoso leaving scent markings at the exact same location, one day apart, and smelling each other. This behaviour leads us to wonder if the Corkwood male might be the father of Bokamoso’s cub! These moments are vital for understanding their reproductive dynamics and home range overlaps.
While most leopards use the underpasses, we have identified one unknown individual that seems determined to avoid them. This leopard consistently prefers to walk up the hill and cross the busy road directly, rather than using the culvert favored by others.
Understanding the reasons behind this avoidance—is it scent marking, a fear of enclosed spaces, or something else?—is crucial to making future mitigation efforts more effective for all leopards.
What’s Next? Our team is now eagerly checking all the leopard captures from the second section’s camera traps. We can’t wait to find out which familiar—or new—faces have been utilizing the safe passages!