I CAN RECOGNIZE LEOPARD TRACKS!

I CAN RECOGNIZE LEOPARD TRACKS!

After a week of coaching from Tara as we jump in and out of our land cruiser changing camera cards and batteries, I was able to identify the spoor of a leopard while on a late afternoon walk just off Conservation Village Campus!  Accompanied by 19 year old S. African, Dylan, it was quite a thrill to find my first leopard track without Tara.  She confirmed it was a leopard the following morning. 

At 7 am this morning Tara lead us though the bush in back of the camp, down along the drainage ditch and up the hill on the other side.  We were travelling single file in hopes of spotting our favourite carnivore.  On reaching the road at the top we were heading back towards camp when I spotted a leopard spoor.  Sure enough, this was one of many and Tara is positive that the 3 different sizes of spoor mean 3 different leopards who had passed this way: a large male, a female and a cub.  We never did spot the trio but did find a dwarf mongoose recently killed and lots of tracks of jackal, serval and civet in addition to leopard.

Earlier this week, Tara encouraged me to find my first giraffe spoor which is distinctive by size and space between.  That felt like a real accomplishment to a lifelong city dweller like me.  While I have always dreamed of seeing these animals in the wild, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I might learn to track!

Part of the deal when you sign up as a volunteer for the Ingwe Leopard Research Program is that you must give back to the community.  On Wednesday, Dylan and I joined the crew that was working on the controlled burn to ensure the fire did not spread out of control.  We were issued fire beaters and used these to snuff out any wayward flames.  At the end of 5 hours, I had to stop from exhaustion.  I had had enough of eyes watering and of choking on smoke blown into my face.  Dylan and I reeked of smoke but felt a sense of satisfaction from a job well done.

Another skill learned while staying at camp is how to build a fire and cook on it.  I can report that I have successfully prepared chicken cacciatore, soup, stir fry prawns and scrambled eggs with spinach and Chakalaka (a spicy tomato salsa).  Watch for the recipe book that Tara plans to make available for all campfire cooks.

New funding sources are needed for to conserve this habitat as home for the many species that live here.  The lack of access to the internet makes it impossible to do on-line research on potential donors. After a life changing experience, I pledge to work on this on my return to Vancouver.  I miss my family too much to want to stay as one of the volunteers is hoping to do but I do want to help make a difference.  You can too by signing up as a volunteer, donating or simply clicking on the Google ads.

Shirley Chan, June 2, 2012