The cheetah is Africa's most endangered big cat.
Historically, they roamed endless grasslands and hunted vast herds of antelope.
Cheetah Conservation
Renowned for their remarkable speed, cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching sprinting speeds of up to 130 km/h in short bursts. Their incredible acceleration and agility make them formidable hunters, able to chase down prey with precision in open grasslands. Despite their prowess, cheetahs face numerous threats primarily due to human activities. Habitat loss, driven by agricultural expansion and urbanization, has severely fragmented their natural ranges. Additionally, human-wildlife conflict, often stemming from retaliatory killings by farmers protecting livestock, further jeopardizes their survival. The illegal pet trade also poses a significant threat, with cheetah cubs being captured and sold, often leading to high mortality rates. As a result of these pressures, the global population of cheetahs has plummeted, leaving only about 7,000 individuals remaining in the wild today. Conservation efforts are critical to ensure the survival of this iconic species.
Kishindo's Cheetah Wild Project
Kishindo is committed to cheetah conservation. In 2017, we reintroduced cheetahs to the Free State province, where they had been extinct for over 100 years. Our Cheetah Wild project aims to increase wild cheetah numbers, across Africa. By working closely with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and The Cheetah Metapopulation Initiative, we’re contributing to the global effort to save these magnificent creatures.
The Cheetah Metapopulation Project
The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) and The Cheetah Metapopulation project (TCMI) have a proven method for conserving near-extinct big cats. This successful initiative involves relocating cheetahs to smaller South African reserves and internationally, where they have become extinct or are needed to strengthen existing wild populations. EWT and TCMI have been working on reintroducing cheetahs to India, where they were declared extinct in 1952.
Kishindo's Contribution
Kishindo is striving to adapt the cheetah metapopulation model for international tiger conservation efforts. Currently, many valuable tiger genetics are confined to captive breeding facilities, while wild populations continue to decline. By expanding the Tiger Canyon concept globally, captive-born tigers can be reintroduced into the wild, where they can thrive as successful wild tigers. Over successive generations, the natural instincts for hunting, defending territory, and raising truly wild cubs are restored. This process ultimately produces strong wild tigers that can be relocated to other reserves. Through the management of wild tiger metapopulation reserves, genetic diversity can be enhanced, and global wild tiger populations can be increased.
Expanding the Metapopulation Concept
Kishindo is striving to adapt the cheetah metapopulation model for international tiger conservation efforts. Currently, many valuable tiger genetics are confined to captive breeding facilities, while wild populations continue to decline. By expanding the Tiger Canyon concept globally, captive-born tigers can be reintroduced into the wild, where they can thrive as successful wild tigers. Over successive generations, the natural instincts for hunting, defending territory, and raising truly wild cubs are restored. This process ultimately produces strong wild tigers that can be relocated to other reserves. Through the management of wild tiger metapopulation reserves, genetic diversity can be enhanced, and global wild tiger populations can be increased.
A Growing Knowledge Base
Through our work with cheetahs and tigers, we’re gaining valuable insights into big cat behaviour, care, management, and relocation techniques. This knowledge will be invaluable for future conservation projects.
Cheetah Experience
Have you ever dreamed of walking alongside a majestic cheetah in its natural habitat? At Kishindo, this extraordinary experience is a reality. Our cheetah safaris offer a rare opportunity to connect with these incredible creatures on a personal level. Unlike many other big cats, cheetahs possess a relatively gentle temperament., our cheetah have developed a respectful, trusting relationship with the guides and guests, they typically view humans as part of their social landscape.
”People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure.”
- Sir David Attenborough
