Viral video proves there are still leopards around Cape Town [update]

Update, 30 March: CapeNature this week announced that the social media-famous leopard was “translocated to [a] natural environment”.

“A leopard that was recently seen approaching a vehicle in Gordon’s Bay has been safely rehomed in a natural environment within the Western Cape,” the organisation writes.

“On Monday 27 March, 2017 the animal was coincidentally caught on a smallholding near Gordon’s Bay in a cage trap legally set for feral dogs and caracal. The Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) was able to identify it as the same leopard that was seen in the video, as well as in other previous encounters in the Gordon’s Bay area. CapeNature’s conservation services officials, a veterinarian and a CLT researcher responded to the call out and inspected the animal.”

According to CapeNature, the animal was a “young female, no more than 2-years-old”.

Although the location of the leopard’s new home wasn’t given, CapeNature has confirmed that “the leopard is healthy and living back in the wild”.

Bon voyage, spotted friend!

Original article: If someone told you that leopards still roamed the mountains near Cape Town, you’d probably cry wolf (or, uh… leopard), right? A new video published to Facebook this week suggests that there’s at least one of these wild cats still calling the Cape’s mountains home.

Published by Wonderlings Bed & Breakfast (and spotted by Traveller24), the leopard was seen perusing cars’ windows in Gordon’s Bay, near Rooi-Els, along the R44. And according to some commenters, this isn’t the first time the leopard has been spotted by locals.

In the tourist-made video, the leopard seems frazzled, running across the road between cars that have stopped along the busy route. It’s only eight seconds long, but it’s clear that the cat is curious and perhaps even a little desperate.

In many ways, it’s a sight that usually includes a baboon, but this is anything but. Long, slinky body, speckled coat, adorable little leopard toe beans? All check.

The clip, published on 25 March, has since been viewed over 120 000 times, with 2600 shares increasing its viral momentum. But the sighting hasn’t been met with joy by many commenters.

The leopard reaction: wonderment and concern

While it’s great to know that wild cats do still live in Cape Town’s surrounds, people are wondering why the big cat is window-shopping car doors.

The leopard in the video was reportedly spotted in yards across the Cape Town outskirts before

“Someone is obviously feeding her/him… and this can only lead to her demise!!!,” one commenter wrote, furious that people treat “wildlife like domestic animals!!!”.

“Please don’t kill it now,” another wrote. “The poor animal is probably been fed by someone because they generally stay away from humans.”

A number of others reinforced this message. Many were simply filled with wonderment.

“What a beatiful [sic] animal,” wrote one commenter.

“Lovely animal. Look after our beautiful creatures big and small,” added another.

Beautiful but dangerous

It’s an awkward situation for the people who live in the surrounds, but a markedly dangerous one for the cat itself.

In February, a leopard was found run over along Bainskloof Pass near Wellington, CapeNature announced. Although Wellington and Gordon’s Bay are miles apart (literally), it highlights the negative impact humans are having on the Cape’s cats.

We’re not too sure what authorities plan for this particular leopard though.

We’ve reached out to Wonderlings and the Cape Leopard Trust — the organisation tasked with the conservation of these wild cats — for further comment and some clarity.