First Leopard Captured!

Nakedi Maputla November 18, 2008

About the Author

Nakedi Maputla is African Wildlife Foundation’s Senior Conservation Scientist. He joined AWF in 2007, working in South Africa's Limpopo region, where he comes from. Nakedi's initial work was focused on studying the great African cats to shape conservation strategies to benefit communities that he… More

Sunday November 9th marked the day of capturing the first leopard in my career. The event was too beautiful to mar with heavy words. Here is a full account of what happened that day in pictures.

Removing the leopard from the trap requires a lot of strength (70 kg cat_ an X-cat).
Removing the leopard from the trap requires a lot of strength (70 kg cat = an X-cat)

...and team work.
...and team work

...and an open area
...and an open area.

The leopard has a broken tooth.
Paddy has a broken tooth.

Examining Paddy.
Examining the leopard.

Preparing the collar.
Preparing the collar.

Collar fitted and ready to go.
Collar fitted and ready to go.

Two days later, Paddy is looking good!
Two days later, Paddy is looking good!