Leopard electrocuted on Eskom power line near Worcester
An adult male leopard was electrocuted on an Eskom distribution line in the Nuy area near Worcester.
Image: Landmark Leopard & Predator Project - South Africa
CapeNature has confirmed the death of an adult male leopard found electrocuted on an Eskom distribution line in the Nuy area near Worcester.
The incident was reported by the landowner after he noticed a power outage and discovered the animal suspended from an 11kV line on Friday.
“The leopard had made contact with a live conductor and was hanging by its incisor teeth, indicating fatal electrocution,” CapeNature said.
On arrival, CapeNature and the Breederiver‑Rooiberg Conservancy found signs of a struggle: fresh claw marks up the wooden pole and disturbed sand at the base.
“This suggests the leopard may have been fleeing a threat, possibly a baboon troop or another territorial leopard, and climbed the pole in an attempt to escape.”
The animal was an adult male weighing 34.3 kg, in good physical condition, estimated at 5–8 years old. Burn wounds on the paws and jaw were consistent with high‑voltage electrocution, CapeNature said.
After the line was de‑energised, CapeNature, supported by Eskom and the Conservancy, removed the carcass.
CapeNature and the Breederiver‑Rooiberg Conservancy found signs of a struggle: fresh claw marks up the wooden pole and disturbed sand at the base.
Image: CapeNature
Tissue samples and morphological data were collected for scientific analysis, and the carcass preserved.
“While a deeply unfortunate loss, the specimen will still contribute valuable information to ongoing conservation research.
“CapeNature extends sincere thanks to the landowner for reporting the incident quickly and responsibly,” CapeNature said.
On Friday, the Landmark Leopard and Predator Project - South Africa said after a terrible 2025 for leopards in the Western Cape, this year started no differently.
“We were informed of another Leopard death under rather bizarre circumstances.
“Reportedly a short circuit in the electricity supply occurred overnight in the Nuy Valley, Worcester, and although no clear animal tracks could be identified it is reported that a scuffle occurred at the bottom of the electrical pole (as is evident in the tracks), and this Leopard obviously tried to scale the pole and electrocuted itself in the process. This is not a sequence of events that we have witnessed before.”
Cape Times