The Big Cat and Endangered Wildlife Centre in Hoedspruit releases two captive-bred cheetahs to the wild

The Big Cat and Endangered Wildlife Centre released two male cheetahs, Wim and Tobie, at the Air Force Base Makhado (formerly known as Air Force Base Louis Trichardt) on 2 December 2015.

 Captive born Wim, six years old, and Tobie, seven years old, were donated to the Air Force Base to keep the runways clear of small game to ensure a safe landing environment for the 2 Squadron Gripen fighter planes based there. The Air Force Base is situated in a remote wilderness area of close on 3000 ha where animals roam free, resulting in small game such as warthogs, impala, duiker and steenbuck on the runways jeopardising the safety of aircraft landing.

 Lente Roode, founder, says the release and similar successful releases in the past, dispels the myth that cheetahs born in captivity cannot be released into the wild to hunt for themselves. She says while much of the work of the Centre is focused on breeding cheetahs and creating a large and healthy genetic pool to sustain the species, the release of cheetah into the wild remains the ultimate objective and measure of success.

The cheetahs were lured from the holding area with a warthog carcass, but a sizeable media and air force base contingent resulted in them grabbing the carcass and retreating to the area where they spent six weeks acclimatising to their new home.

The release of the sleek predators was the culmination of weeks of preparation for the day. Wim and Tobie were each fitted with GPS collars to enable the tracking of the pair’s movements once they were released at the Air Force Base. On 20 October 2015 they were transported to the Air Force Base and released into the large holding area adjacent to the runways for a period of acclimatisation, particularly to become habituated to the sound of aircraft.

Commenting on the value of the cheetahs to the Air Force Base Makhado, Lieutenant Colonel Etienne van Blerk says the use of cheetahs to hunt small game on the airstrips is a unique method of clearing the runways and above all, a natural and sustainable means of ensuring the safety of the area.

 The Hoedspruit cheetahs were released just days before International Cheetah Day, designated annually on 4 December to celebrate the world’s fastest feline and to generate awareness for the cheetah. With fewer than 10000 remaining in the wild, the cheetah is sadly Africa’s most endangered big cat. However, the good news is in South Africa the cheetah is no longer classified as endangered, but as vulnerable.

The Big Cat and Endangered Wildlife Centre in Hoedspruit is open to enthusiastic and caring volunteers throughout the year and you can join from 1 – 3 weeks.  To find out more contact gemma@amanzitravel.co.uk