Renewable energy solutions provider Rentech’s sponsorship of 200 Rentech 6v, 4.5AH batteries and 5 Noco Genius Gen 2 chargers for the non-profit Cape Leopard Trust is set to contribute invaluably towards research and conservation of leopard populations in the Cape region.
These batteries and chargers will be used in the latter half of 2021 for more than 170 motion-sensor camera traps that will be used for a large-scale survey in the Overberg region to assess leopard distribution and ascertain density. The camera traps are a predominant research tool in The Cape Leopard Trust’s efforts to monitor leopard movement.
A service technician from Rentech will assist in an advisory capacity once a month by visiting the charge and storage site with recommendations to ensure longevity of the batteries and maximum usage.The Cape Leopard Trust is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation engaged in the conservation of biological diversity.
The organisation conducts robust research to understand the leopard population dynamics and influence conservation policies.Industrial Business Manager, Gerrit Steyn, says that the company’s support of the Cape Leopard Trust aligns with its efforts to further sustainable solutions in South Africa.
“Rentech isn’t only committed to creating viable and sustainable energy solutions for South Africans,but also furthering environmental sustainability. It is therefore our honour and privilege to be able to support the Cape Leopard Trust in their endeavours.
“We trust that the supply of reliable batteries and chargers will assist greatly to ensure that the camera traps can properly fulfil their intended function and contribute towards the conservation of leopards in the Cape region.”
The Cape Leopard Trust CEO, Helen Turnbull, thanked Rentech for its support, noting that the batteries and chargers will prove valuable in helping the organisation in its conservation efforts.“On behalf of the entire Cape Leopard Trust team, I would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to Rentech and its team for its valuable donation of Willard batteries and chargers.These batteries will ensure that we have an environmentally sustainable and reliable power source for each of these cameras.”
“A project like this requires a huge investment of logistics and manpower, and the savings accrued from the battery donation will help us to finance this work. In addition, thanks to Rentech’s support,we will be able to transition to conducting more environmentally friendly research using your reliable and rechargeable batteries to power the camera traps.”
Turnbull notes that field cameras are one of the most effective tools in furthering modern conservation efforts. She says that diverse data can be accessed from these affordable and noninvasive tiny field cameras. In turn, this will contribute significantly to elusive species research as well as improved knowledge and management that will guide future policy development.
