Introduction
The Klein (Little) Karoo, with its unique semi-arid landscapes, is surprisingly home to a diverse array of wildlife. Understanding the presence and behavior of these species is crucial for effective conservation efforts. From 2022 until 2025, I undertook a long-term Klein Karoo Camera Trap Project on private property to document its elusive inhabitants.
Survey Objectives
My primary goals for this Klein Karoo camera trap project were merely to inform the landowners of the wildlife species present on their newly acquired property. It is important to note that the property was not actively utilized as a conservation area in the past. In fact, it was a small-scale cattle farm. Luckily, it was not industrially managed, and therefore most fauna and flora were passively conserved. Several adjacent properties are active conservation areas, including a CapeNature reserve and a private game lodge. This meant that wildlife had a good opportunity to establish in the area. It also meant the likelihood of finding interesting species and top-trophic level species was high.
Methodology
To achieve these objectives, I implemented the following approach:
- Camera Deployment: Six single camera stations were strategically positioned across approximately 1.5km² of the private property. Cameras were sporadically moved by the landowners if animal sign of note was spotted, and only two stations were permanent throughout the 3 years of surveying.
- Survey Duration: The cameras operated continuously from March 2022 until February 2025.
- Data Collection: Captured images were retrieved approximately once per month and analyzed to identify species.
Findings
The survey yielded many observations over the years. The landowners did not request or need detailed analysis of the data, so number of sightings of each species was not recorded.
- Species Recorded: The cameras documented many mammal species, including notable sightings of leopard (Panthera pardus), honey badger (Mellivora capensis), aardvark (Orycteropus afer) and aardwolf (Proteles cristata).
- Leopard Observations: At least two (possibly three) individual adult leopards were detected on the property during the survey. This is noteworthy considering the small size of the survey area.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the landowners that took part in this survey for generously maintaining the cameras with batteries and data downloads. I am appreciative of the opportunity to have been able to conduct the survey in the Klein Karoo.