The cub, rescued from the grasp of human-wildlife conflict, is part of a small leopard population of about 20 individuals in the Western Cape region that needs fierce protection.
Botrivier, South Africa (03 November 2025) – A young female leopard has been rescued and released after being found trapped on a farm near Botrivier. Her rescue marks a milestone for the Landmark team, who’ve now saved 77 leopards from life-threatening situations.
The cub was caught in a capture cage set up on a sheep farm, reportedly dealing with livestock losses. The farm had no permit for the cage, making the capture illegal. When CapeNature was alerted, they called in the Landmark Leopard & Predator Project crew.
Their work with the species includes rescue and translocation of leopards under threat, as well as vital research focused on density estimates, activity patterns, resource selection, habitat prediction, and so much more that helps protect the species.
The crew took on the Botrivier rescue in a heartbeat.
Working through the night alongside vets from the Caledon Veterinary Clinic, they reached the site, checked the cub’s condition and released her back into the same area within twelve hours. She’s still young and dependent on her mother, so the hope is that the two have since reunited.
This part of the Western Cape, stretching from the Botrivier Lagoon through the Hermanus Mountains and down to De Hoop Reserve, is home to only about 20 leopards. It’s a fragile population, one that’s fought to survive as farmland expands and natural corridors shrink.
Every single leopard matters.
Landmark’s Bool Smuts says while they’re grateful for another life saved, there is still more work to do and more awareness to be raised.
“It will be a far better day when these traps are no longer in use, and when coexistence between livestock producers and this iconic species becomes the norm,” says Smuts. “While we are pleased with the cub’s rescue, our dissatisfaction remains that leopards are still exposed to such risks in critical areas.”
Protecting wildlife and running a farm don’t have to be at odds. That’s the good message that Landwork works to share through encouraging effective, ethical, economically sustainable, and ecologically sound land management solutions.
“Landmark urges all landowners and communities to adopt proactive strategies that allow wildlife to thrive alongside human activities, safeguarding South Africa’s leopard populations for generations to come. We appeal to authorities to be proactive in litigating the law to ensure the sparse protection these species have is ensured,” the team says.
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What do they mean by livestock farmers should co-exist with Leopards? How do we stop the shooting of the leopards by making trapping and release illegal or are you saying this is exotic animal trade? I’m confused by this article. I’m sure there is a much bigger environmental issue at stake.