Two wild cheetahs have been released to roam free at Inverdoorn Game Reserve
The release follows a great deal of hard work and high hopes from the dedicated team at Western Cape Cheetah Conservation (WCCC), and sees the second step in their rescue and rehabilitation programme completed.
Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Iziba Safari Lodge lie a two-and-a-half hour drive from Cape Town in the Ceres Karoo. Stretching across 10,000 hectares, Inverdoorn is the largest private game reserve in the area. Founded in 1996, it provides sanctuary to an abundance of wildlife. The game reserve offers a premier safari experience including game drives, luxury accommodation and incredible insight into the rescue and rehabilitation of the cheetah.
The rescue and rehabilitation of cheetahs is complimented by breeding and interaction programmes. The former aims to increase the number of the species, as well as their genetic diversity. Inverdoorn offers guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really get to grips with a cheetah through its Exclusive Encounters package. The interactions allow guests to meet Velvet and Iziba, the tame cheetahs, while chatting to handlers and volunteers about the conservation of this amazing big cat.
Guests who opt for the five-star luxury accommodation packages automatically enjoy the one-on-one encounters, while an optional extra package is available to other overnight guests and even day visitors. Besides interacting with cheetahs and visiting the centre during the game drives at the reserve, guests have the opportunity of watching cheetahs run after the sunset safari. These runs form an important part of both the breeding and rehabilitation programmes. With wild cheetahs now roaming free in the game reserve, guests have something extra to look out for during safaris.
The two released cheetahs have adapted well and successfully hunt lechwe, duiker, springbok and even ostrich. The team chose to release one male and one female into the reserve in the hopes that they will mate and bring cubs into the world. In the reserve the work continues as the team monitors the cheetahs’ progress, while the centre continues to rehabilitate the other cheetahs so that hopefully, one day, they too will enjoy the same freedom.
Inverdoorn Game Reserve & Iziba Safari Lodge, PO Box 304, Sea Point 8060, Cape Town, South Africa
Visit www.inverdoorn.com
