Aspects of the feeding ecology and behaviour of female leopards (Panthera pardus) in the Waterberg Mountains, South Africa

Abstract

Leopards (Panthera pardus) have the widest distribution of any of the large cats in Africa and are found in habitats including savannas, deserts, forests and, mountains. Although well studied in savanna habitats, their feeding ecology and behaviour are still poorly understood elsewhere, especially in mountainous regions. Scat analysis and direct observations have been the most commonly used techniques to study leopard diet. However, leopards in mountainous areas hide their kills in dense vegetation or rocky overhangs and finding scats are difficult. All of these factors have contributed to the dearth of information on leopard diet and behaviour in these areas. This study investigated the general feeding ecology and behaviour of three female leopards in the Waterberg Mountains of South Africa. Leopards were fitted with global positioning system (GPS) collars and leopard feeding sites were identified and navigated to in the field using GPS cluster analysis. Over a five month period I investigated 200 potential leopard feeding sites and located 96 leopard feeding/kill sites. Prey remains were collected and analysed to determine gender, age, and subsequently mass of prey species. Together these data were used to estimate prey biomass intake of the leopards. The most frequently consumed prey species were impala (Aepyceros melampus), baboon (Papio ursinus), and klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus). Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) made the biggest contribution to the leopards‘ biomass intake, followed by impala and baboon. This study recorded the highest levels of predation on baboons to date, which may have significant effects on the population structure of these baboon populations. The management implications of seasonal predation on plains species in a mountainous reserve are discussed. Copyright