A STAGGERING R533 000 was raised at the elegant event which took place at the Pierneef à La Motte restaurant at La Motte Estate in Franschhoek on 19 November to raise funds for the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT).
South African artists Dylan Lewis and Donald Greig, whose work can be found in the finest collections around the world, were just two of the sponsors that saw collectors book their paddles for the gala dinner and auction which was hosted by Leopard’s Leap Wines.
Some of the other stunning auction items included safaris from Wilderness Safaris, Londolozi Game Reserve and Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve.
Managed by project manager and principal researcher, Quinton Martins, the Cape Leopard Trust aims to optimally facilitate conservation of this predator through implementing conservation strategies, research projects and tourism initiatives.
“Leopard’s Leap wines generously adopted a leopard – called BM5, an adult male leopard who was accidentally caught in a trap set for otters in Du Toit’s Kloof in 2005. Two of these adoption opportunities went under the hammer on Friday evening.
To date thirteen leopards in the Cederburg have all been collared with GPS transmitters. Visit www.capeleopard.org.za
