Cheetah Re-Introduction Project Detail
Cheetah Re-Introduction Project
The centre began working with captive-bred cheetahs in 2001 and in the past few years cheetahs have been bred and raised with a fantastic success rate. The initial aim of the project was to provide these cheetahs to other breeding programs, both in South Africa and internationally and therefore preventing them being taken from the wild but due to the rapidly declining numbers of cheetah in the wild, we have realised that further action needs to be taken to address this problem. The centre aims to achieve this with a three-phase project which will see our cheetahs released into managed environments which are closer to their natural habitat.
You will get large amounts of hand on experience with the cheetahs, as you will be spending time with them every day as well as what has come to be fondly known as ‘cheetah time’ in the afternoons – an exclusive time for you to just spend time interacting with the cheetah with no duties to do! Volunteers are also responsible for cleaning and maintaining the cheetahs enclosures, exercising and feeding them and monitoring any cubs (from the age of three months) that we may have at that time. Once a month we also take our volunteers on a trip to Kruger National Park, one of the largest national parks in South Africa which is home to the ‘Big 5’, where you can see the best of Africa’s wildlife in its natural habitat.
We are currently in the initial stages of our reintroduction project, and are offering you the chance to work with us to help reintroduce cheetahs back into their natural habitat. You will be playing a vital role in monitoring and teaching our cheetahs (from the age of three months) to prepare them to hunt for themselves, so that we can realise our goal of seeing free-roaming cheetahs again.
The aim of the programme is to give you a deeper understanding of conservation and its importance in the 21st century, as well as giving you the incredible experience of interacting with our cheetahs on a daily basis.
The volunteer aspect of the programme has been running for just over two years now and we have a maximum of 6 spaces available per month, providing you with the best possible experience by giving you plenty of interaction and hands-on time with the cheetahs.
The preparations for Phase 2 are nearly completed and we will soon be putting cheetahs into this area. You will play a vital role in monitoring the cheetahs and ensuring that the Phase 2 area is the right environment for our cheetahs to successfully refine their hunting technique and raise their cubs in.
Everyone at the Cheetah Reintroduction Centre has a contagious passion for nature and conservation, and especially the cheetahs. You will be working side by side with the staff and will find their knowledge and expertise invaluable during your stay!
In that time we've maintained and improved the cheetah camps, by the building of shelters, and the construction and erection of panels which provide shade and protection. We have also implemented behaviour enrichment projects to ensure the cheetahs are as happy and enriched as possible. We have created a database for each cheetah, recording their health, behaviour and feeding patterns, which allows us to build up clear profiles on each one.
Participant Requirements
The programme is open to anyone from the age of 18 to 55, however all participants must be in good health and able to carry out all duties required of them.
Regardless of your dietary preferences, it is important to note that you are expected to be fully involved in the preparation of the meat (usually horses and donkeys) for feeding the cheetahs (this includes removing the meat from the bone). You will be fully supervised at all times, as well as preparing the meat for each feed.
PRICES (in South African Rand)
2 weeks - 10,060 (approx. GBP 900 and USD 1425)
