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SAYING GOODBYE TO THREE OF AFRICAT’S FAMED CHEETAHS
Chinga was a six-month-old orphan cheetah cub when she came to Okonjima in 1989. The FIRST big cat the Hanssen Family saved! She was bought at a farmer’s auction for approx. N$200, and the reason the Hanssens felt sorry for her and felt they should save this poor cub, was because NO one placed a bid, and the owner told them; “that he most probably would have to put her down, for he does not want to keep her. He just did not know what else to bring to the auction to raise funds for the Namibian Independence elections”.
She was one of the primary influences in establishing the AfriCat Foundation and, together with her companions, Caesar and Chui, became very well known to guests at Okonjima for many years. Also amongst the first cheetah orphans to be taken into AfriCat’s care, Tyke and Spike became a famous duo and were two of the six cheetahs released into AfriCat’s first large cheetah enclosure (sponsored by Richard and Diana Reynolds-Hale) over a decade ago.
Chinga, Chui and Tyke are sorely missed. They will never be forgotten and will always have a special place in our hearts! Carla Conradie
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In the last six months
we have had to say a sad goodbye to three of these well-loved
icons – Chinga, Chui and Tyke. Mature
in age – seventeen, twelve and fourteen years respectively
- all of them succumbed to kidney failure. Renal disease
is often diagnosed in captive cheetahs, as well as
domestic cats, especially in those of advanced years.