Release of the leopards introduced to Majete Wildlife Reserve
The release of the sixth leopard to be introduced to Majete Wildlife Reserve took place on 8 December 2012. This release brought to a conclusion the re-establishment of this species as a final step in the ecological rehabilitation of Majete.
The translocation operation was funded by the Thandiza Foundation of The Netherlands as part of a larger support project for the management and rehabilitation of Majete Wildlife Reserve.
The two leopards, one male and a young adult female had been flown to Majete on 23 November 2012. While in quarantine, the female managed to free herself from her enclosure. She has subsequently been tracked and seen and is in good condition.
On Saturday 8 December 2012, in preparation for the release of the male leopard, the Majete management team accompanied by Dr Anthony Hall-Martin, African Parks' Conservation Director, Dr Andre Uys, Veterinarian and Mr Alexander Baum, the EU Ambassador for Malawi together with his family, met at the leopard boma. The male leopard was resting in the boma and Dr Andre Uys was able to dart him at close quarter without incident.
Once the leopard was immobilized, Dr Uys and the Majete team went into the boma and carried the leopard out on a stretcher. His condition was excellent and Dr Uys confirmed his age from his teeth. The visiting delegates were able to see the leopard at close quarters and Dr Uys gave them a briefing about what to look for when checking the leopard’s age and condition. His collar was also checked and then he was loaded into a vehicle and taken to the Shire River for release.
The leopard was placed in the shade of a large tree where Dr Uys administered the reversal drug. Within minutes the leopard was showing signs of stirring and after fifteen minutes he was sitting up and looking around. Once the leopard found his feet and began to register what was around him, he got up and started to walk towards the Shire River.
Since the release, the male leopard has been tracked on foot and was recently observed lying high up in a Tamarind tree close to the area where he was released. His condition is still excellent and he seems to be settling into his new environment without any problem.
On Friday 7 December, the female leopard was seen high up in a large Tamarind tree by visitors on a game drive from Mkulumadzi Lodge. The female leopard has now started to move west and is currently in the Nakamba River system.