Camera Trap Visitors: South Africa

Around the world, Panthera is working every day to protect wild cats. From leopards to lions to fishing cats and beyond, we are dedicated to wild cat conservation. However, it is sometimes difficult to monitor these animals and their behaviors. That’s where camera traps come in. Camera traps use a sensor to take a photograph when animal passes by. But what if it’s not a cat? 

Well, there’s all types of interesting animals that don’t roar and have paws and claws. In South Africa, we get a wide variety of these camera trap visitors. Here are some of our favorites! All these specifically were taken in Madikwe Game Reserve as part of our Leopard Monitoring Project.

These two greater kudus are making quite the statement as camera trap visitors. Take in this incredible interaction as they lock horns. 

Next up, a family of ostriches. Can you believe those little chicks will grow up to be that massive one day? 

It may look like a cat, but this animal is actually what is known as an African civet. You never know what may pass by a camera trap during the night!

Now for an animal that looks like a dog. This brown hyena is definitely a great nighttime camera trap capture, but surely not one you’d like to stumble across in the darkness! 

If you were walking around at night in South Africa, this animal would probably be less scary than a hyena. This aardvark seems to be strolling along like an animal on a mission. 

And for our last camera trap visitors, the largest land animals on the planet come strolling by. It is amazing, like with the ostriches, the size this young elephant will become once it reaches adulthood. For now, it’s the only elephant fully visible by a camera trap! 

By supporting wild cats in South Africa and around the world, we also support animals that live with and interact with them. Panthera pledges to protect wild cats to protect brown hyenas, elephants, greater kudus – you name it. We hope you join us in that pledge! 

Learn more about our work concerning leopards.