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You're listening to Discovery from the BBC World Service.
I'm Adam Hart and this is Tooth and Claw,
the series where I explore our complex and challenging relationships with Earth's greatest predators through the people who have spent their lives studying,
protecting and at times narrowly escaping them.
Today's predator is a master of camouflage who stalks and ambushes its prey.
so elusive they're able to exist in places close to people whilst remaining unseen.
Incredibly adaptive, this big cat can be found from jungles to deserts, mountains to savannas,
across Africa and Asia, and is particularly well known for its tree-climbing abilities.
It's time to talk about my favourite big cat, the leopard.
Joining me are Dr Gareth Mann, who's based in South Africa.
He's the leopard programme director for Panthera, the global wildcat conservation organisation.
and Dr Charlotte Searle, a postdoctoral researcher and conservationist based in Tanzania.
She's associated with the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at the University of Oxford.
Now Gareth, when I think of what a leopard looks like, the first thing I'm thinking is their spots.
How would you describe a leopard's coat?
They are incredibly ornate, beautifully patterned, big cats.
Tawny background with these black rosettes that form these very unique patterns.
They really blend in well to any kind of dappled lights.
They have this amazing ability to blend into almost any background,