The leopard was photographed in the park. The image, captured by a remote camera trap, confirms this elusive predator has recolonised a region from which it had long been absent, said Sanparks spokesperson Rey Thakhuli.

“The discovery is the result of a collaborative effort between the Landmark Leopard and Predator Project and Sanparks, together with the University of the Western Cape, Saldanha Bay municipality, and multiple private landowners.”

The project is aimed at monitoring and protecting the country’s recovering leopard populations. “The project has been running for the last few years on the West Coast between Cape Town and the Berg River.”

This landmark sighting marks the natural return of the species to South Africa’s coastal landscapes, a powerful sign of ecological recovery, said Sanparks. 

The leopard had been extirpated from the region in the mid-1800s and has only recently returned of its own accord.

Over the past two decades, the Landmark project and other stakeholders have worked to restore ecological corridors and reconnect fragmented habitats across the Cape provinces.

These efforts have allowed wildlife — such as leopards — to move more freely and safely through the landscape, added Thakuli. A critical component of this success is the tolerance and coexistence shown by landowners, along with the implementation of wildlife protection legislation, which has been evident in the area.

“The return of the leopard to the West Coast National Park underscores the success of long-term conservation partnerships and highlights the importance of continued collaboration to ensure that this remarkable recovery endures.”

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