The leopard is one of the most iconic species of wild cat on this planet. Currently, there's nine recognised subspecies of the leopard - this might soon change to eight - but only one of those is found in Africa - the African  Leopard. However down in the Western Cape of South Africa, the African leopards here are different. They're about half the weight of a typical African leopard and their home ranges are eight to ten times bigger than a leopard in Kruger National Park.
These leopards of the cape are known for their elusiveness and their resilience. Whilst other large apex predators have disappeared around them in the last few centuries, the leopard here has survived. But that doesn't mean they're going to survive forever - it's estimated that there the wild and the challenges they face are increasing in both complexity and scale.
So in this episode, we'll meet Dr. Katy Williams - Research and Conservation Director for the Cape Leopard Trust. They're a leader in predator conservation and we'll learn more about the leopards in this area, the threats facing them and the plans the Cape Leopard Trust have to ensure they'll be a part of the Western Cape for centuries to come.
Links

Cape Leopard Trust