LEOPARD SNARED IN E-CAPE GIN-TRAP

A leopard was injured after it was caught in a trap that was set by a farmer in Baviaanskloof in the Eastern Cape, SABC radio news reported on Friday. The farmer set a small gin trap to catch what he thought was a karakul which had been killing his livestock. The animal was not seriously injured and had been treated. Leopard researcher Douglas Long said he intended fitting a satellite-tracking collar to the animal and release it to determine the number of leopards in the region and their range so that nature conservation officials and farmers could manage them. The leopard population in the area is believed to be increasing with farmers reporting more stock losses than in the past. According Africa Geographic Online a gin trap is a steel-jawed leg-hold contraption that has been banned in 89 countries but is still in use in South Africa. – Sapa