RESCUE AND RELEASE/RELOCATION PROGRAMME

AfriCat has rescued more than 850 cheetahs and leopards and over 85% have been released back into the wild.

AfriCat rescues an average of 70 cheetahs and leopards a year that have been trapped on farms throughout Namibia.

It has always been our aim to return as many cats as possible to their natural environment - only those that are unable to be released remain in AfriCat’s care.

Background
Habitat loss is one of the largest threats to the cheetah and leopard populations in Namibia. Livestock and game farms in Namibia number over 7000 and spread over most of the country - the same areas where the majority of these animals exist. The resulting conflict between these predators and farmers protecting their livelihood reduces the natural habitat areas where the animals can safely exist.

With a shift in focus from cattle farming to a livelihood dependent on game for tourism and/or hunting, there has been an increasing trend where the predation of game has become the motivation behind the elimination of cheetahs and leopards. The perceived “problem animals” who in the past were removed for preying on livestock, are now also being captured for hunting one of their natural prey species.

General predator removal is often the “livestock-protection method” utilised by farmers who view all predators as "problem animals" and cheetahs and leopards are trapped, poisoned or shot on sight. In most cases an individual animal is responsible for stock losses and not the species in general and this indiscriminate removal leads to the unnecessary elimination of many innocent animals.

The immediate benefit of AfriCat offering to remove cheetahs and leopards from traps is that it prevents these animals from being shot, as this service offers the farmer an alternative to destroying them. An additional advantage is that this contact with the farmer provides us with the opportunity to create awareness about predator conservation, promote ecologically sound farm management practices and effective farm management techniques.

Once AfriCat is contacted, the necessary arrangements are made to rescue the animal from the trap as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

With the exception of very young cubs, the animals are anaesthetised for handling and transport. All animals are examined for any injuries that may have been sustained either prior to or during capture.

Minor wounds are treated immediately. AfriCat’s veterinarian is consulted in cases where specialised treatment or surgery is required.

Measurements, weights and ages (from tooth-wear) are recorded for each cat and blood and hair samples are taken.

All the animals are marked with a microchip, enabling easy identification should individuals be recaptured in the future.

Where the farmer is in agreement, the animals are released at the place of capture. Otherwise they are released in or relocated to appropriate areas, usually within a day of their rescue. If recuperation time is needed, they are held temporarily at AfriCat until fit enough for release.

continued.... >>

<< back to Africat homepage