Problems- and new teeth- for Karongwe's new leopard

Shiloweni is the name that was decided on for the new male leopard (Panthera pardus) that arrived on the reserve in April. After his first month of freedom on Karongwe Game Reserve, during which he demonstrated a good kill-frequency, Shiloweni’s kill success-rate seemed to decrease and he started losing condition. The leopard’s behavior also indicated that something was not quite right. Management then decided to sedate him so top local wildlife vet, Dr. Peter Rodgers, could examine him.

The examination revealed that he had huge abscesses in his upper canines which would have been causing him considerable pain. Of course a dentist was needed, and one that would be willing to perform oral surgery on a 60 kg male leopard. Constant contacted Dr. Sonia van der Mescht from Tzaneen. Dr. van der Mescht seized the challenge with both hands and agreed to perform the procedure cost free. The problem was far worse than was anticipated and just removing the canines was not an easy task at all.

Dr. van der Mescht jumped right in and it took a mammoth six hours to remove the leopard’s canines which were embedded about 6cm into the jaw! GVI Expedition Members were fortunate enough to be able to witness much of the process, further reward for having worked through the night many times in the preceding weeks to monitor his condition and settling process after release on the reserve. The next problem we were faced with was what to do next? Drs. Rodgers, van der Mescht and Karongwe Game Management decided to build the leopard a whole new set of canines, by making use of dentistry implants. Veterinary authorities from Onderstepoort Veterinary College are being consulted during the process as this is a first for leopard conservation in South Africa.

Shiloweni was returned to the reserve and is currently in a quarantine boma where he is being fed soft meat and organs. The construction of this new set of canines will take two months, which it is hoped will give his bone enough time to recover from the previous surgery. Watch this space for updates!

Problems- and new teeth- for Karongwe's new leopard