Message from Professional Hunters Association of South Africa

[SafariA]

PHASA is there to serve you. Our dynamic executive and members have a passion for hunting and the outdoors. PHASA is the solid platform where your voice will be heard and where your voice will count. PHASA is your insurance to an unforgettable adventure. PHASA has a global presence and an unblemished reputation of excellence and achievements. We are the only real and serious voice for the South African professional hunting industry and our imprint can be seen throughout the world. This video invites you to the gateway to Africa....to South Africa..... let your adventures begin and continue to walk in the tracks of Legends... Proudly PHASA, Proudly South African. Have peace of mind and book your next safari through a PHASA Outfitter. Visit our website www.phasa.co.za

 

[KEMP AFRICAN SAFARIS]

Well done.... Proud to be a PHASA member.

 

[Tony Du Bruyn]

PHASA My PHASA, Yes it helps to book with a Outfitter that is supported by The Best Organization in the world that support there members and there clients. Lovely vide.

 

[SafariA]

" PHASA FOUNDATION.: Leopard Research. Anneke reports: "Sifting through all the camera trap data, we enjoy coming across sweet LITTLE surprises.
There isn't a set season for mating to occur with the leopard and they will probably breed shortly after reaching sexual maturity. Female are very flirtatious during this time and males go to great lengths and travel long distances to be able to mate.
Once mating has been successful the female will carry the young in her body for approximately 90 to 100 days. About one to four cubs are born relatively undeveloped being completely helpless and blind but they continue to grow quite fast in a secret hiding place for six weeks and are suckled by the female for 3 months.
The mother will protect and move her cubs from place to place until they reach independence around 12 months after which she will still accommodate them within the confines and protection of their territories for at least eighteen months, if not longer.
Where there are overlapping of territories among females, it is most likely between female relatives. Males tend to move away from their natal area due to the presence of much bigger and stronger males residing in areas close by."
#phasafoundation #leopard #research #leopardresearch #hunterscare #partnership "

Videos :

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=581367845789145

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=519943588701380

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1571827429637797

 

[CAustin]

Wonderful to see these leopards.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Nice video and photos! Thanks!

 

[Mort Hill]

Excellent production. Can’t wait to return!

 

[SafariA]

I am going to follow up in the near future with some news on the progress on the Leopard Research Project . We will also expand about other projects of Phasa and the Phasa Foundation.

Attached a little info on the details of the research :


"A preliminary survey will consist of the following: for the first two weeks prior to a camera trap survey at a study site, suitable experienced individuals (including landowners, rangers, professional hunters, trackers and guides) from the properties comprising the study site, will drive the roads on the properties and log any leopard activity. Leopard activity include: tracks, drag marks, kills made by leopards, scat or real time sightings. Logging of the information will follow a
set process: an image is taken of the activity to be logged (tracks, kill, scat, or sighting), the GPS position is recorded and the GPS record is loaded onto a Google map file.



CAMERA TRAP SURVEYS

Camera trapping is frequently used in wildlife research, also in determining
carnivore abundance, including leopards. It has been especially effective in counting elusive carnivores and studying their behaviour and habitat use.

20 Camera trap stations with 40 cameras are arranged in a map-defined grid across the property, covering a minimum of 25 000Acres, this can be one property or adjacent properties making up at least 25 000Acres, and stations are placed at least 0.8mi
apart to ensure the areas around a camera is large enough to include the home range of a leopard in the area.

Camera traps are placed along roads, drainage lines, water sources and game trails, where chances are
maximized for capturing leopard movement.

Two cameras per station will be
mounted on trees or steel droppers,
about 18 " above ground, across from each other in attempt to capture both sides of the animal for better identification.

Camera trapping occasions will be divided into 24hr cycles, consisting of
sampling periods lasting approximately 3 months, the cameras will be rotated
every 45 days to cover 25 000Acres. With the data captured from the camera traps, a leopard identity kit is set-up to identify individuals on properties. Once all the data is collected from the various points of capture and corroborated amongst the team, an official report will be compiled and presented to the landowner ,explaining and discussing the unique nature of Leopard diversity on the monitored area . "

The first two 25 000 acres sections have been completed and are being reviewed before results will be made public. There is two new 25 000 acre sections being surveyed currently with a third one being initiated. This research will be expanded as quickly as possible as Funds come available. So we have 80 camera traps running . The third one will push this traps up to 120 cameras.

Watch out for more news on this SOON !

 

[enysse]

Thanks for doing all the research! I know you guys got some big leopards in RSA! Hopefully, hunting will be open again soon!

 

[SafariA]

Herewith a message from Dries van Coller ... We will try and keep all informed as soon as news transpires.

 

[SafariA]

LEOPARD RESEARCH PROJECT: 'Despite the number of challenges we faced during the covid-19 pandemic, our team have managed to continue with the leopard monitoring program.
We recently kicked off a new project in the Waterberg area where monitoring will be taking place for the next few months.
Prior to starting with the actual camera trapping, we complete a workshop with all of the members involved in order to explain the aim of the project, how we operate and what is expected of each game farmer and team throughout the monitoring period.
After completing the workshop, we drive around the property looking for leopard tracks or signs which is then recorded by taking a photo of the track or sign (as seen on the photos attached). This information gives us a good indication of where and how the leopards move on the property. Further, based on these records we are able to make informed decisions regarding the placement of the camera trap stations.
Once the cameras trap stations are then placed out and started recording, we return to the properties every two weeks in order to service the cameras and collect the data. This valuable information are interpreted and worked into our scientific reports. These reports will be published in the future and be part of the information be used to calculate accurate leopard population counts and help with distribution maps. At the end of the day our Government will then have a much better platform to issue leopard quotas for sustainable takeoffs. PHASA FOUNDATION is very proud of this flagship project and if you want to get involved, please visit our website www.phasafoundation.co.za for more information. Because HUNTERS CARE
#phasafoundation #leopardresearch #hunterscare #proudlyphasa

I will follow up tomorrow with some exiting footage !