Final Cheetah release for 2010
25th October
AFRICAT’S FINAL CHEETAH RELEASE happened on the 25 October 2010 @ 8h00!!!
ANOTHER GREAT DAY FOR AFRICAT’S CHEETAH REHABILITATION PROGRAMME – the final 4 of the original 17 ‘run free’!
Since the 18th May, 17 once-captive cheetah and 4 rescued Wild Dogs have been released into Okonjima’s new, 16 000 ha Private Game Reserve. On Monday, the final 4 cheetah ‘ran free’.
The first cheetahs that were released into this new reserve on the 18th of May, are between 4 and 5½ years old, most having been in captivity from an early age. All 17 released cheetah as well as the 4 Wild Dogs that were in captivity from the age of three weeks and who were released on 9.11 - were thoroughly examined by our Veterinarian, to ensure they were in good health and fit enough to be released. In order to monitor their welfare, condition and hunting successes, they were fitted with radio-collars so that they can be tracked on a daily basis. All guests staying at Okonjima Lodge during the lucky release dates - had the opportunity to watch the gates open!!
Monday’s stars, the last 4 captive cheetahs - Scully, Mulder, Tintin and Abbey, were orphaned at the age of six months when their mother was shot on commercial farmland. The siblings (two males and two females) are now seven years old and are now set for their second chance to live as wild cheetahs...
This last group of cheetahs and the wild dogs, as well as a few of the other, ‘tamer’ rehabilitated cheetahs, will remain in the Okonjima Private Nature Reserve as ambassadors for the AfriCat Rehabilitation Programme, as they are too habituated to be released into the wild, i.e. outside of the protected area. They are older than most of the cheetahs that have been released into the reserve so far, but their teeth are in excellent condition so there is no reason why they shouldn’t do well and learn to hunt and become self-sustaining.
Orphaned at an early age, some of these cats have missed out on all that they should have learnt from their mother while growing up – not only hunting skills and techniques but the essential ‘life-skills” needed to survive in the wild.
Climbing a high tree is a challenge on its own and the first adventurous step they took once their meat was finished - much to the delight of everyone watching!
WAYNE HANSSEN - founder of The AfriCat Foundation, explains to the board members of one of AfriCat's biggest supporters CYMOT - that AfriCat is not only involved in Rescue, Release and Rehabilitation programmes, but also continues to involve as many young Namibians in its Environmental Education Programme. Since AfriCat’s inception, more than 20 000 children have visited both the AfriCat and AfriCat North Education Centres.
Valuable research on Cheetah &, Leopard continues as well as the further development of the Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation programme.
AfriCat North, based along the south-western boundary of the Etosha National Park, initiated their Livestock Protection Programme in 2004 – concentrating on encouraging communal farmers to better protect their livestock by building stronger kraals and re-instating herdsmen.
CYMOT & CAMPMOR directors:
Henning & Eva Barth; Gert Lübbert & Ingrid;
Tom Mellon & Annemmarie & Nico & Elmarie Vermaak.
(and sitting in front: Anja & Johan - The Villa managers)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
WITHOUT SPONSORS and TOURISM – there is NO AFRICAT!
Since there is a dire need for greater protection of the Namibian Lion (Panthera leo) as well as alleviation of Human-Wildlife Conflict on both commercial as well as communal farmland, AfriCat North’s efforts were recently honoured by support from the Okorusu Fluorspar Mine Community Trust, who have dedicated much-needed funds for the development of the AfriCat Communal Carnivore Conflict Project (CCCP). Cymot, together with one of its main suppliers of Greensport products, Campmor Outdoor, have supplied the mobile camp for this team.
Thanking you all for your support.
AFRICAT NAMIBIA
PS: READ MORE ABOUT TINTIN DURING the 2005 ROUTINE, VETERINARY, AFRICAT HEALTH-CHECK!
