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Research
Research in the Khutse Game Reserve
Khutse Game Reserve allows us to gain basic knowledge about leopards
in a protected area of the Kalahari. We gather information on:
- the behaviour
- the ecology
- the genetics
- the population structure
- and the health status of the leopards.
Leopards are elusive animals and mainly nocturnal, which makes
them hard to observe directly over extended periods. Therefore,
we combine two highly specialized techniques from very different
cultures: satellite telemetry and tracking skills of the San, or
Bushmen.
Satellite telemetry
Leopards are captured, darted and fitted with Satellite-radio
(VHF) collars. The collared animals are then regularly monitored
via satellite. This provides us with information on:
- the location coordinates, taken at regular intervals
- size and
location of the individual home ranges and their overlap
- seasonal differences in habitat use
- space use of animals that have been relocated to Khutse Game
Reserve after killing livestock.
Tracking with the bush men
Bushmen, the first inhabitants of the Kalahari, have a long tradition
in the technique of tracking. By this method, we obtain valuable
information on prey, resting places and other traces of activities.
To date, we have followed 60 spoors of leopards and we developed
a catalogue with 31 different behaviours, like "dragging prey" or
"stalking".
With this catalogue we are able to assess differences in the behaviour
of females, males and sub-adults. The combination of satellite and
tracking data provides a unique insight into the secret life of Kalahari
leopards.
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