It is thus with great excitement that I write to tell you about the rare Cape Leopards spotted at one of our Helderberg member farms, Lourensford Estate.
 
The Cape Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) is an endangered sub-species of the African Leopard found only in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. They exhibit great variation in coat color, depending on location and habitat. Coat color varies from pale yellow to deep gold or tawny, and is patterned with black rosettes while the head, lower limbs and belly are spotted with solid black. They are smaller in the mountains of the Cape Provinces with males averaging 32-50 kg and females 20-30 kg.
  

Like most large mammals, they are generally absent in areas with a high population density of people. The leopard fills the role of the apex predator in the Western Cape ecosystem and acts as an “umbrella species” which, through its conservation, effectively help in the conservation of smaller, lower profile predators.

 
Its resilience to persecution notwithstanding, the leopard has suffered extensive range loss in the Cape and is now extinct in many areas of the province where it formerly occurred. The species is routinely and regularly removed from farms with little knowledge of population or genetic status, whether removals are sustainable or whether the factors giving rise to conflict are established.

  
As of late their focus is now on the spectacular Kogelberg and Hottentots-Holland Mountains surrounding Lourensford Estate and the outskirts of the City of Cape Town. Lourensford Estate has on own initiative started monitoring these animals roaming the 4500ha estate and surrounding mountainous regions.
 
Due to the farm’s success on capturing these animals on film, City of Cape Town Nature Conservation department in collaboration with the Cape Leopard Trust joined hands with the estate in this exciting project. The farm has released photographs of an alpha male Romeo, a pregnant female Juliet and a young female Susan. Further pictures will be released as other animals have been positively identified.
 
Lourensford Wine Estate, well know for wines of exceptional qualities, achieved championship status from the wine industry’s Biodiversity and Wine Initiative in 2006. Conservation efforts and continuous education of farm workers has now paid off and they are extremely proud to have these dazzling animals roaming their magnificent estate.
 
For more information, contact Wim Braak on (021) 847 2305, or visit www.lourensford.co.za.

This month I would like to welcome two new members to Stellenbosch Wine Routes.
 

 
Plans for a nursery to help restore and protect neglected slopes on the farm are on the cards as well as obtaining Champion status in the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) of which they are already a member. Visitors to the tasting room will be able to see spectacular 180degee views of the Banghoek Valley and Simonsberg and enjoy wines presented by the winemaker or owner. For more information, phone (021) 885 1013, or visit www.bartinney.co.za.