This article contains references to wildlife mortality that some readers may find distressing.
CapeNature has confirmed the death of an adult male leopard after it was electrocuted on an Eskom distribution line in the Nuy area near Worcester.
Cape Nature/Facebook
The incident occurred on 23 January and was reported by a landowner who noticed a power outage before discovering the animal suspended from an 11kV line.
According to CapeNature, the leopard had come into contact with a live conductor and was hanging by its incisor teeth, indicating fatal electrocution. Responders from CapeNature and the Breederiver-Rooiberg Conservancy later confirmed the cause of death.
Clear signs of a struggle were found at the scene. Fresh claw marks were visible on the wooden utility pole, while disturbed sand at its base suggested the animal had climbed the structure in distress. Conservation officials believe the leopard may have been fleeing a perceived threat, possibly a baboon troop or another territorial male, and attempted to escape by scaling the pole.
Cape Nature/Facebook
The animal was identified as an adult male, estimated to be between five and eight years old, and weighing 34.3 kilograms. Officials noted that it was in excellent physical condition. Burn wounds on the paws and jaw were consistent with injuries caused by high-voltage electrocution.
Once the power line was safely de-energised, the carcass was removed with assistance from Eskom and the Breederiver-Rooiberg Conservancy. Tissue samples and morphological data were collected for scientific analysis, and the specimen has been preserved for future research.
While the loss of a leopard is deeply unfortunate, CapeNature says the data gathered will still contribute to ongoing conservation efforts. The organisation also thanked the landowner for reporting the incident promptly and responsibly, allowing authorities to respond quickly.
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