The Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) Boland Project has confirmed that two male leopards, Diego (Boland Male 27/BM27) and Bacardi (Boland Male 26/BM26) are still frequenting the FNB Wines2Whales (W2W) Mountain Bike (MTB) routes.
FNB W2W has been supporting the CLT Boland Project since 2011 when the event organizers first donated five digital camera traps for research.
“We are extremely grateful for the support received from the FNB W2W MTB Events over the past 7 years,” says Jeannie Hayward of the CLT Boland Project. “Although leopards are adept at traversing rough terrain and dense vegetation, they do like ‘the path of least resistance’. Placing the camera traps on the MTB routes has proven to be extremely useful in our research. In 2016 three leopards were recorded frequenting the FNB W2W MTB Routes: 1. Bacardi (BM26) was photographed both at Lourensford Wine Estate and Vergelegen Wine Estate. 2. Diego (BM27) was photographed at Vergelegen and Paul Cluver. 3. Scott (Boland Male 12/BM12), an established, dominant male held a vast territory in the Kogelberg Biosphere.”
“The FNB W2W camera traps act like ‘permanent fieldworkers’, recording animal movement day and night, rain or shine,” continues Hayward. “Placing these cameras along the FNB W2W routes gives the Boland Project the opportunity to survey new locations within the study area, not only for leopard activity but also for the presence of other nocturnal and shy mammals like the Honey Badger, Cape Fox and Genet. We can confirm that both Bacardi and Diego are still around and active in the W2W area. Hopefully once we’ve collected the latest data from the camera traps we will have new leopard pictures to share with the FNB W2W MTB riders.”
EVENT INFORMATION: FNB Wines2Whales MTB Events
Starting in the Winelands of Somerset West, riders will cross through (and over) 13 wineries, 26 private farms, six mountains, historic roads and mountain passes, nature conservation areas (including the Kogelberg Biosphere) before finishing within sight of the famous whales of Hermanus!
- FNB Wines2Whales MTB Adventure: Friday, 27 October 2017 – Sunday, 29 October 2017
- FNB Wines2Whales MTB Ride: Monday, 30 October 2017 – 01 November 2017
- FNB Wines2Whales MTB Race: Friday, 03 November 2017 – Sunday, 05 November 2017
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Follow us on Twitter: @w2wmtb
For more information on the FNB Wines2Whales MTB events contact Chris on 083 760 3158, e-mail [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected] or visit www.wines2whales.co.za
About FNB Wines2Whales:
FNB Business and FNB Private Wealth are proud to be the title sponsors of the annual FNB Wines2Whales MTB Events.
The sponsorship forms part of FNB’s ongoing strategy to support local and community events that focus on a healthy lifestyle and show the potential to grow. The sponsorship affirms our dedication to providing an experience that is beyond expectation, through a sport that continues to grow in popularity as one of the key activities in the South African sporting calendar. The annual FNB Wines2Whales MTB Events are aligned to our belief that adventure is the heart of innovation and this is one of many platforms on which we seek to make a lasting connection with new and existing clients.
Contact
FNB Business – The Bank built by entrepreneurs.
Email: [email protected]
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ISSUED BY: Newsport Media
ON BEHALF OF: Wines2Whales Organisation