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South Africa: Limpopo leopards in danger
Pretoria - Leopards in Limpopo are at risk of being wiped out, the SanWild Wildlife Trust said on Monday.

"At this rate, leopards will soon be wiped out in certain areas unless urgent action is taken by all concerned," said trust founder Louise Joubert in a statement.

She said hunting permits were being issued without the necessary scientific research and data.

"It is clear that the conservation authorities do not properly determine the number of leopards in specific areas before issuing permits to kill them. Permits are simply issued on demand without any consultation or research."

Joubert said it was appalling that a permit to shoot leopards had been issued to the same professional hunter on the same farm within the last 22 months.

Suspected poachers cut wire

She warned that unless the formal conservation organisations specialising in the protection of leopards and other large carnivores launch an urgent investigation into the process of the issuing of permits, leopards would come under increasing pressure from those with no interest in ensuring the protection of bio-diversity and endangered species.

On Sunday, two suspected poachers were seen cutting wire on the SanWild sanctuary's perimeter fences.

"SanWild staff pursued the poachers and found that they were creating steel snares with the wire they had cut off the fences.

"While pursuing the poachers staff found fresh bait had been set for the hunting of a leopard within a short distance from the reserve's perimeter fence."

Refuge

Members of a professional hunting group were seen leaving the area in a vehicle and were dressed in the same clothing as the two suspected poachers who fled from the SanWild perimeter fence.

SanWild is home to a number of leopards, including one rescued from an illegal canned leopard hunt a number of years ago.

The SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary had become a refuge for large numbers of wild animals which were systematically driven out of their home territories by a growing human population, Joubert said.
 
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