The Safari Club International Foundation African Leopard Research Project continues to build momentum as it enters its next phase in South Africa, following the successful completion of fieldwork in Botswana.
While the broader program is designed to expand throughout SADC range states the next phase will progress into Mozambique and Zambia, however the current phase focuses firmly on strengthening scientific understanding and conservation outcomes within South Africa’s borders.
At the core of this initiative is a clear objective: to generate robust, reliable scientific data that enables informed, evidence‑based decisions on how leopards should be managed across their range. Sound science remains essential to ensuring long‑term conservation success, balancing ecological sustainability with responsible wildlife management.
In South Africa, the SCIF National Leopard Survey is being conducted in close collaboration with the PHASA Foundation, bringing together research expertise, field experience, and a shared commitment to conservation grounded in data rather than assumption. This partnership is already playing a vital role in improving our understanding of leopard distribution, population trends, and habitat use across priority landscapes.
A significant recent milestone for the project was the official handover of a dedicated research vehicle, which will be used exclusively for the South African National Leopard Survey. This vehicle is a critical operational asset, enhancing field efficiency, safety, and logistical reach for research teams working across diverse and often challenging environments. The handover ceremony marked an important moment of collaboration and shared purpose. Ilse Joubert, Chairlady of the PHASA Foundation, together with Dr Chris Comer Director of Conservation SCIF, formally accepted the vehicle from Rudi Boonzaier, owner of Waterberg Toyota, and his team. This contribution reflects Waterberg Toyota’s strong commitment to supporting science‑based wildlife research and meaningful conservation action. Representing the PHASA Foundation at the event were Mr Daniel Ngwepe, Mrs Ilse Joubert, and Mr Pete de Villiers, joined by Mr Adrian LeGrange, SCIF Leopard Survey Assistant, whose fieldwork forms a critical part of the national survey effort.
This milestone would not have been possible without the generous support of valued sponsors and partners. We extend sincere thanks to Waterberg Toyota, Haltlock, Wild Canopies, and Graeme Alberts for the Nav Sat Radio, along with all supporters who continue to invest in conservation founded on credible science.
As the African Leopard Research Project expands beyond South Africa into other range states, it will encounter unique ecological, social, and logistical challenges specific to each country. These challenges will be addressed as they arise, guided by local context, collaboration with national partners, and the same commitment to sound scientific methodology that underpins the project today.
Your support is making a real and lasting difference. By strengthening the scientific foundation for leopard management decisions, you are helping secure a more certain future for one of Africa’s most iconic predators—both in South Africa and, in time, across the broader African landscape.
