Wilderness Trust boosts leopard research in Botswana’s Okavango Delta

The Wilderness Trust has strengthened one of the Okavango Delta's longest-running leopard monitoring programmes by funding GPS-enabled camera equipment for field guides at Wilderness Chitabe, supporting a 12-year research project that has documented 64 individual leopards and is now contributing to scientific research and conservation.

The investment supports a long-term monitoring initiative that has developed over the past 12 years into one of the Delta's most comprehensive leopard databases, documenting individual animals, their territories, family lineages and behaviour, according to Wilderness.

The Trust, an independent organisation established to expand Wilderness' conservation work, said the project aligns with its mission of supporting wildlife research, conservation education, human-wildlife coexistence and anti-poaching initiatives.

Wilderness Group Head of Impact Vincent Shacks said the organisation was proud to support research that delivers lasting conservation benefits. "This work represents exactly the kind of long-term conservation effort we want to back. Wilderness has been working with Chitabe for more than 30 years, and to see that relationship translate into a dataset of genuine scientific value is something we are truly proud of."

Shacks said the long-term monitoring record has direct conservation value and offers strong potential for collaborative scientific research.

Extensive knowledge

Chitabe has long been recognised as one of the Okavango Delta's strongest leopard areas, and many of the concession's guides have spent decades working in the landscape. Their extensive knowledge of individual animals has formed the foundation of the Chitabe Leopard ID Monitoring Project, which has converted years of observations into a structured, verifiable record.

At the heart of the project are Chitabe's experienced field guides, many of whom have developed an intimate knowledge of the resident leopard population through years of working in the concession.

Using GPS-enabled cameras, guides record every leopard sighting during game drives, capturing photographs together with the precise time, date and location. The information is catalogued in a growing digital archive containing 863 leopard sightings recorded over 428 days, representing 64 individually identified leopards.

The database has transformed years of field observations into a structured scientific resource, providing insights into leopard movements, territories and family relationships.

A rose by any other name

Field guide Aaron Samunzala said one of his favourite leopards is Rose, known for her resilience and calm temperament. "She is a master of survival, holding her own against big prides of lions and clans of hyenas. She has grown accustomed to vehicles and often gazes at guests with a captivating, inquisitive calm, making her a truly special photographic leopard."

The project has also improved guiding practices.

Wilderness said a better understanding of individual leopard behaviour allows guides to approach sightings more responsibly, particularly when dealing with shy or inexperienced animals, reducing disturbance while improving wildlife viewing opportunities.

The database has also enhanced visitors' experiences by enabling them to learn about the histories and family lineages of the leopards they encounter. Guests are encouraged to contribute photographs and videos, while daily updates and identification guides at the camp provide additional context.

Sighting distribution

Researchers have also found that leopard sightings at Chitabe are distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, suggesting visitors have similar chances of encountering the species during both the wet and dry seasons.

Since receiving support from the Wilderness Trust, the project has identified 11 additional leopards and recorded more than 150 new sightings.

The Trust said the expanding database is now supporting a scientific paper examining patterns of space sharing among Okavango Delta leopards, with the field guides who collected the data set to be acknowledged for their contributions.

An interactive digital platform is also being developed, allowing users to explore maps, seasonal movements, family trees and the histories of individual leopards, further expanding the project's value as both a research and educational resource.