Matthew Arendse

Matthew joined the Cape Leopard Trust team in May 2023 as the Research and Conservation Field Officer, Matthew’s passion for South Africa’s incredible biodiversity was fostered in Betty’s Bay by his grandfather, a former biology teacher, and his father with whom he spent countless hours exploring the mountains and coastlines of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. He completed his BSc Honours degree in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in 2019.

Matthew’s passion for biodiversity conservation has seen him work on several projects in the past, in various capacities, and has gained him valuable field work experience. Some of the projects include: A Field Herpetology Survey conducted for SASOL Secunda, and the sampling of reptile communities at Tswalu Private Nature Reserve as part of the Kalahari Endangered Ecosystem Project (K.E.E.P). In 2022 Matthew moved to Betty’s Bay to work as a Field Manager for Human Wildlife Solutions in the Overstrand region, where he led a team of rangers in their day-to-day management of urban baboon troops in the Overstrand.

Since joining the CLT Matthew has co-led large scale leopard camera trap surveys, and has also demonstrated a passion for inspiring the next generation of conservationists by assisting the CLT Environmental Education team. Matthew has continued to nurture his growing appreciation for South Africa’s incredible biodiversity. He is dedicated to conserving and celebrating our country’s biological resources, which includes our secretive and spectacular leopards.