Home is Where the Habitat Is: An in-depth look into Panthera’s Sabi Sands Leopard Project

By Nikki Balme, Ph.D.
Project Coordinator, Sabi Sands Leopard Research

NIKKI BALME/PANTHERA
Leopard mother and cubs in Sabi Sands Nature Reserve, South Africa. © Nikki le Roex

Dr. Nikki Balme is the coordinator of the Sabi Sands Leopard Project. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Balme’s years of conservation experience, wild cat education and innovative science have made Sabi Sands the top ecotourism and leopard research destination on the continent.

Deep in the heart of South Africa’s Sabi Sands Game Reserve, leopards roam silently through the bushveld. However, these agile and adaptable wild cats face growing threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. Panthera’s Sabi Sands Leopard Project stands as a beacon of hope for this iconic, spotted species, ensuring their survival through cutting-edge science and conservation.

Established in 2011, the project focuses on the reserve’s leopards, which are unique because of their relaxed nature around vehicles. This unusual quality renables researchers to observe and document leopards in unparalleled detail, advancing our understanding of their ecology and behaviour. By studying leopards in such a prime, protected environment, Panthera gathers vital insights into how these cats interact with their surroundings, their prey and each other.

© James Tyrrell

At the core of this initiative is the use of state-of-the-art technology, including remote cameras, DNA profiling and digital monitoring. These tools allow researchers to monitor leopard movements, health and population trends, revealing invaluable data about how they coexist with other predators and adjust to environmental pressures. Such findings not only benefit the leopards in Sabi Sands but inform broader conservation strategies across Africa. 

JAMES TYRRELL
A LEOPARD CUB AND ITS MOTHER, South Africa ©JAMES TYRRELL

We Can Coexist 

Collaboration is key to the project’s success. Panthera partners with local landowners, reserve managers, and ecotourism operators to promote conservation, coexistence and mitigate conflict with people. By demonstrating the economic and ecological value of leopards, the project supports a strong culture of conservation among stakeholders.

A Collaborative Effort 

Community engagement is equally vital. From awareness campaigns to supporting community initiatives, the Sabi Sands Leopard Project showcases how people and wildlife can thrive together.

As we face a global biodiversity crisis, Panthera’s Sabi Sands Leopard Project provides a powerful example of hope and action. By blending science, collaboration and community, this initiative ensures that the leopards have a safe home—because, as Panthera’s efforts and global impact demonstrates, home is where their habitat thrives.

Learn about our groundbreaking Sabi Sands Leopard Project and how you can support it!

Home Is Where The Habitat Is

This year, we’re spotlighting the habitats of wild cats which are needed for their survival. By protecting these natural spaces, we create safe corridors where they can hunt, find mates, and raise their young. With your support, we can make sure wild cats have a "home" to return to, season after season.

To make your contribution even more impactful, the Ayers Wild Cat Conservation Trust is offering a special match — all donations made to Panthera before the end of the year will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Learn more and join the match