Primate and Predator Project

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South Africa
Louis Trichardt
Primate and Predator Project

Based in the Soutpansberg Mountains of South Africa, we are focused on conservation and ecology of primates and predators.

The project is supported by Durham University in the UK and the Earthwatch Institute. Welcome to the Primate and Predator Project. We are based in the Western Soutpansberg Mountains, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Our research is structured around three key themes:

(i) To assess the role of mountainous regions in biodiversity conservation

(ii) The behavioural ecology of predator-prey interactio

ns focusing on diurnal primates and their predators as a model system

(iii) Evaluating the nature and extent of human-wildlife conflict within the Soutpansberg Mountains

28/07/2026

This past week PPP's research manager, Alex Botha , presented to the Lengau group at the and at Nimeng Safaris to the Western Soutpansberg Nature Reserve landowners and stakeholders on PPP's operations and updated findings from camera trap surveys in this area.

Special thanks to the team and the EWT/Western Soutpansberg Nature Reserve team for organsing these events.

Photo Credit: Gregg Jansen Van Rensburg

29/06/2026

PPP just finished the takedown of the partnered PPP-Panthera leopard monitoring grid in the north-western region of the Soutpansberg. These results will be combined with PPP's findings in the south-western region to calculate an accurate density estimate for leopards in the area. While we process the data, here are some of the best captures from the second camera service.

A special thanks to all the lodges, reserves, and property owners who gave us access to their properties and allowed us to setup cameras. Without your willing participation, none of our work would be possible.

25/05/2026

PPP recently attended and presented at the 2nd .wcrc annual conference on its work and plans moving forward. We just want to say thank you to the .wcrc team for an awesome conference and all the work you guys put in to make it happen. Onwards and Upwards.

photo credit: Michelle Hurley

11/05/2026

PPP just finished deploying an extended camera trap grid with the Panthera team in the northern parts of the Western Soutpansberg. This grid is running simultaneously with PPP's long-term monitoring grid that operates in the South of the Western Soutpansberg region. While we wait on the findings (and hope for lots of leopard captures), here are some of PPP's best captures from the last camera check that was completed towards the end of April.

Cover: from the Panthera team.

Species photos:
Photo 1 - 2:
Photo 3 -4:
Photo 5 - 7:
Photo 8 - 9: Private

03/05/2026

Today we celebrate World Leopard Day, highlighting these magnificant cats that occupy many of the worlds terrestrial habitats, from wet jungles to dry semi-deserts and savanna expanses to mountain tops. Here in the Soutpansberg leopards are the apex predator and play a vital role in regulating prey species, influencing smaller predators and primates, and creating carrion for various scavengers. Unfortunately, leopards are increasingly at risk in this landscape with shrinking viable habitat, diminished prey populations, and regular exposure to a variety of threats from snaring to unregulated hunting.

To celebrate the Soutpansberg leopards, here are some leopard photos we recorded during our last camera trap service.

05/04/2026

Here in the Soutpansberg, wildlife are increasingly being killed by vehicles on the roads as they move between adjacent properties, looking for food, mates, and their own territories. The .wcrc team found this deceased female leopard this morning, a stark reminder about the risks that wildlife face and an absolute waste of one of South Africa's iconic species. Please keep an eye-out when driving, particularly at dusk, dawn, and during the night.

Photo Credit: .wcrc

Address

Louis Trichardt

Website

https://primateandpredatorproject.wordpress.com/

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