Two cheetah cubs and their mother awaiting to be released.

Preparing for the workup. (c) Cheetah Conservation Fund

On Friday 25 November, CCF was again called to pick up a family of wild cheetahs that had been trapped by a game farmer. This time it was a mother and two young cubs (one male, one female), and all three of them had their work-ups performed under anesthesia on Saturday morning, 26 November. As with all wild cheetah work-ups, they had samples taken (blood, hair, skin, scat), they were vaccinated against Rabies virus and treated for parasites, they had identification photos taken and ear tags placed, and they were given intravenous fluids for hydration support. All went well with the anesthetic procedures and they recovered well.

Earthwatch volunteers assist the CCF staff with one of the cubs' workup. (c) Cheetah Conservation Fund

As we have indicated before, game farms are probably the greatest threats to cheetahs in Namibia. Indeed, more cheetahs are killed here than on livestock farms. These farms are stocked with wildlife, some of which are exotic and very valuable, such as blesbok, black wildebeest and tsessebe. Thus, to keep these animals within the property, farmers install almost impenetrable fences. Some cheetahs can and do find a way in and once inside, they might not be able to get out again and end up hunting valuable game.

Fortunately, because these young cubs still have their mother to take care of them and teach them to hunt, they can be released back into the wild.

Greetings to all,

Gaby (Vet)