Cheetahs on the Brink of Extinction
Cheetahs, the world’s fastest land animals, are disappearing at an alarming rate, but the race to save cheetahs in the Western Cape has only just begun. With fewer than 7,500 left in the wild, these agile predators face relentless threats, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal pet trade.
Declared regionally extinct in the Western Cape in the 1970s, cheetahs have since been reintroduced into select reserves, where small, carefully monitored populations now exist. However, their numbers remain critically low, with fewer than 50 individuals estimated to live in the Western Cape—all confined to fenced and protected areas.
Unlike lions or leopards, cheetahs struggle to adapt to shrinking landscapes. They depend on vast, open spaces like savannas and grasslands to hunt effectively, reproduce, and avoid threats. This makes their conservation particularly challenging, yet essential to ensuring their survival in a rapidly changing world.
Cape Cheetah Conservation
The Cape Cheetah Conservation (WCCC) initiative is dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating these endangered cats. Forming part of the successful cheetah conservation efforts at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve and in partnership with ARC, the Animal Rescue Centre, our aim is to provides a safe haven for rescued and captive bred cheetahs in the Western Cape, helping them regain their natural instincts with the hope of being released back into the wild.
At our rescue centre, located at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, just 2.5 hours outside of Cape Town, cheetahs receive specialised care, nutritious diets, and open spaces where they can roam freely.
Many of these animals have been rescued from captivity, where they were unable to hunt or develop the skills needed for survival. Through a structured rehabilitation programme, the conservation team ensures that each cheetah gets the attention it needs to successfully be rehabilitated back into the Western Cape’s Karoo wilderness.
Read More: Iverdoorn’s Cheetah Conservation Initiatives
Cheetah Conservation in the Western Cape
One of the most exciting aspects of cheetah conservation programme at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve is the cheetah run experience. These high-speed sprints allow the animals to exercise their muscles, develop their natural hunting instincts, and stay mentally engaged.
Adult cheetahs can reach maximum running speeds of up to 120 km/h (about 70 mph). And, unlike zoos or captivity environments, Inverdoorn provides the space and resources for rehabilitated cheetahs to experience what it means to be wild.
At Inverdoorn, visitors have the opportunity to witness these running exercises firsthand, offering a rare and unforgettable experience that few people are able to witness in the wild. Not only does this activity benefit the cheetahs, but it also serves as an educational tool, raising awareness about the importance of conservation.
Also Read: The Cheetah Run, Everything You Need To Know
Why Conservation Efforts Matter
Cheetahs (play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling prey populations, which helps sustain biodiversity.
Unlike many other big cats, cheetahs are diurnal hunters, meaning they are most active during the day. This unique behaviour allows them to thrive in semi-arid and open landscapes, where the absence of dense vegetation and larger predators like lions and leopards makes them the dominant carnivore.
Without intervention, the decline of cheetahs could have far-reaching consequences for Africa’s wildlife. Programmes like Inverdoorn’s Cheetah Conservation initiatives are essential in preventing extinction. Through public support, donations, and responsible tourism, these efforts continue to make a lasting impact.
Help Save Cheetahs in the Western Cape
Every visit, every donation, and every shared story helps keep cheetahs running free. By supporting Cape Cheetah Conservation CCC (in association with Animal Rescue Centre, ARC), and its Western Cape wildlife conservation efforts, you are directly contributing to the protection of one of Africa’s most iconic species.
Learn more about how Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve is making a difference and how you can be part of this mission.
