The objective of the auction was to raise much needed funds to further the amazing work the Trust is doing in preserving the endangered Cape Mountain leopard and our natural heritage. Stunning auction items that were on offer just showed, once again, how enthusiastic sponsors are about this worthy cause and the great appreciation there is for the important role played by the Cape Leopard Trust. From the bidders' side there was just no holding back, faced by offerings such as an 18-litre bottle of 2011 Leopard's Leap Merlot, a Boland Leopard Tracking Day Trip including breakfast at Tokara’s Delicatessen, dinner at Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant as well as one night’s accommodation at the exclusive La Motte Manor House. Further offerings were a 9-day luxury Botswana/Zambia safari from Wilderness Safaris, 3- night Londolozi safari well known for amazing leopard sightings, Bushmanskloof Package for two people, beautiful photographs from world-renowned Steve Winters, as well as three Boland leopard adoptions. When all was said and done, the amount raised for the Cape Leopard Trust came to a most gratifying R 302 000. As co-founder, CEO and Cederberg Project Manager of the Cape Leopard Trust, Dr Quinton Martins is a formidable force in facilitating the protection of the Cape leopard through implementing conservation strategies and research projects. The Trust also has an extensive educational programme by which youths are consistently made aware of the preservation of the environment through the concept of CEPA, furthering Communication, Education and Public Awareness. Dr Martins: “This concept creates valuable partnerships with government, NGO’s and the public, ensuring facilitation of a number of central goals, one of which is to disseminate valuable research information in a manner that creates awareness and educates the public about the importance of a healthy eco-system. Being an iconic species, the leopard has an important role to play in drawing the attention to broader environmental issues.” Titled The ecology of leopards - Panthera pardus in the Cederberg Mountains, the dissertation Martins submitted for his Ph.D. laid the foundation for research focused on this particular species. To date, much of the research has taken place primarily in the Cederberg mountain area, but further projects have now been established in the Swartberg, Gamka Corridor as well as the Boland region. Dr Martins thanked sponsors, donors and dedicated individuals for their generosity in support of research and preservation programmes, referring to the adoption of leopards by Leopard's Leap Family Vineyards as an expression of a passion not only for conservation, but also for our natural heritage as a whole. More information about the Cape Leopard Trust is available on their website