The Last Free-Roaming Cheetahs of South Africa

Photographs and words by Crowpix Media

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Cheetah Conservation in South Africa
Crowpix Conservation Photography was recently in Limpopo, South Africa, to participate in a project that involved the rehabilitation of a wild, free-roaming Cheetah in the area.
How Many Cheetahs Are Left in The Wild?
There were an estimated 100,000 global free-roaming Cheetahs at the turn of the 20th century. That number has dwindled to approximately 6674 today. 
Conservation of the last free-roaming wild Cheetahs is at a critical stage, and the ongoing work of conservationists regarding Cheetahs must be continued.
Cheetah Rehabilitation in South Africa
Our free-roaming Cheetah got injured on an electric fence crossing a farmer's land and was found with an injured leg by Mark, the owner of Tumbeta Private Nature Reserve and Conservancy.
While climbing under the electric fence, the Cheetah ripped the skin from its leg, and the Cheetah's injuries were severe. 
The injured Cheetah was handed into the care of the Cheetah Outreach Trust, an NGO that monitors and protects the remaining free-roaming Cheetahs along the South Africa and Botswana border. 
The project manager and field officer from the Cheetah Outreach Trust took the Cheetah in to treat the wound after three weeks of care. 
As the photographs below show, the rehabilitated Cheetah was released into a secure boma, where he would live for the next three weeks to monitor his recovery.
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The treated Cheetah is safely transported in a custom-made cage into the boma that will be its safe home for the next three weeks while under observation. Photo by Crowpix Media.

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The gate to the Cheetah's cage is opened slowly. The Cheetah is hesitant at first and gives a few warning growls. Photo by Crowpix media.

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Once the feline animal decides it is safe to do so, he moves into the boma's open space and his temporary home. Photo by Crowpix Media.

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The Cheetah leaps into motion and bolts out of the cage. Photo by Crowpix Media.

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As the Cheetah moves he has a eye on me constantly while he makes his escape from captivity. My heart is beating as fast as his legs move. Photo by Crowpix Media.

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The incredible speed of the Cheetah once out of the cage indicates that his injury is not a problem. He moves with high speed and agility and disappears out of sight of the camera. Photo by Crowpix Media.

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Will we win the battle against the rapid decline of an incredible wild species? Time has shown that we are losing, for now. With enough hearts and minds, we can solve the human-animal survival conflict. There is enough space for all species on this earth. Photo by Crowpix Media.

Update on Cheetah Rehabilitation at Tumbeta Private Conservancy
Crowpix Media is happy to report that the injured Cheetah completed the rehabilitation in the boma and has been rewilded onto the conservancy.
The Cheetah has made a kill and has been seen around the conservancy at the watering hole.
The wild Cheetah is successfully back to his free-roaming ways.
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The rehabilitated Cheetah's first kill since the release was a Nyala ewe, as shown above in the photo. Photo courtesy of Tumbeta Private Conservancy.

Video courtesy of Tumbeta Private Conservancy.

Video courtesy of Tumbeta Private Conservancy.

If you would like to partake in an introductory photographic conservation safari workshop based in the luxurious bush camp at Tumbeta, and guided by expert photographers from Crowpix Photo Tours and Safaris, then get in touch to view our photography packages.
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