Freedom!

Back in December a farmer called us with some concerns that a cheetah was preying on the springbok on his game estate. The cheetah in question was costing him a small fortune and would we mind collecting it in order to relocate it somewhere where it would be able to live without causing such a conflict with his business.

We are constantly working towards the aim of farmers calling us when things like this are causing human- wildlife conflict. In years gone by, and still in so many instances where carnivores are preying on life-stock, they will simply be shot or die in traps. Every day our message gets a little stronger, and as we get these calls, and attitudes change to allow man and beast to live side by side, we know we make a difference.

"Nothing is given to man on earth -  struggle is built into the nature of life, and conflict is possible - the hero is the man who lets no obstacle prevent him from pursuing the values he has chosen" - Andrew Bernstein

Kirsty and her cubs stayed with us then for around 4 months, when a cheetah is relocated they spend much more time than usual roaming and exploring their surroundings and her cubs were only 6-12 months and therefore not big enough to be able to keep up with her.

We looked after them carefully and with limited contact in order to maximize their success on release, and Tuesday 27th March was that special day.

"I just have one day, today, and I am going to be happy in it." - Groucho Marx

So, how do you capture, collar and release 4 cheetah? Here is the process and as the BBC always say, don't try this at home kids...

Firstly place a cage with tempting cat snacks - like a slice of donkey - in the enclosure, ensuring the cages are big enough to be comfortable, and covered for camouflage and shade, then wait for the cheetahs to get curious or hungry and enter the cages. A set up release mechanism means that the cats are automatically (and safely) contained and once this is achieved you are onto phase two.....

One of the cubs in the capture cage

Preparing to dart Kirsty, as mother of the coalition she is the one who is fully grown and the one who will lead the group, she therefore is the one who is GPS collared so that we can track their movements, check on their progress, make sure they are doing ok and use this information for carnivore research.

And you thought GPS was just a device to lead you down narrow country lanes and through fords, well its far more useful than that in the carnivore research world.

Kirsty, having been darted as the drugs take affect.

The dart we used

About to put her new GPS collar on.

We measure her (she is a big girl) and add eye drops whilst she is sedated to keep her comfy.

Kirsty with the collar on

Now time for her to come round and be left for a few hours in order to fully come to.

We prepare to move all 4 cheetah to their new site. 4 cheetah and a cage are very heavy!

Come on chaps get those muscles working...

...yup very heavy indeed!

We move them to their new home, as the volunteers sit on top of the cage to keep the tarp on and stop them getting too stressed.

"There is no such thing as a little freedom. Either you are all free, or you are not free" - Walter Cronkite

Tarp off and ready to go...3....2....1.....

And they are off, out go the cubs....

...pushing past one another and ready to be back in the wild...

"Freedom lies in being bold" - Robert Frost

....finally followed by mum.

Come on Kirsty, you can do it, as she watches her cubs take to the brave new world.

"The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage" - Thucydides

She waited in the veldt for them for a little while before the group got back together and they start to explore their new surroundings. With a herd of hartebeest in the distance they couldn't have been happier and in the next few days as we follow their movements on the GPS tracking system it is clear they are doing well.

What an experience. There were smiles all round, from the volunteers to the German TV crew, the biologists who have worked closely with the cats and on the release program to the coordinators who are involved in the day to day feeding and care. Everyone was delighted to witness this once in a lifetime opportunity. 

4 wild cheetah, back in the wild where they belong.

"All good things are wild and free." -  Henry David Thoreau

"You have a choice. Live or die. Every breath is a choice. Every minute is a choice. To be or not to be" -  Chuck Palahniuk