At Cape Cheetah Conservation, our mission is simple: rescue, rehabilitate, and release cheetahs back into the Western Cape’s Karoo wilderness where they belong. For nearly two centuries, wild cheetahs were absent from the Western Cape, with populations wiped out in the 1860’s by habitat loss and human interference.
Now, through ethical conservation practices at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, and in partnership with the Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), we’re working to change that—one cheetah at a time.
Rescue: Giving Cheetahs a Second Chance
Many of the cheetahs in our care come from captive facilities, wildlife trafficking rescues, or conflict situations where they were unable to thrive in other game reserves or protected conservancies. The cheetah conservation and wildlife rescue team at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve and ARC provide the cheetahs with a safe, natural space where they can recover and regain their strength.
The cheetah conservation project at Inverdoorn is home to one of South Africa’s leading wildlife rehabilitation centres, with a revolutionary wildlife ethics committee overseeing the welfare and care of all cheetahs and rescued animals at the reserve.
Read More: Inverdoorn’s Ethics Committee, a New Model for Cheetah Conservation
Rehabilitation: Preparing for Life in the Wild
True wildlife conservation and rehabilitation isn’t just about saving animals, it’s about restoring their natural instincts and preparing them for a successful (and independent) life in the wild. Located at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, approximately 2.5 hours from Cape Town, our cheetah rehabilitation programme focuses on:
1. The Cheetah Run Initiative:
Daily high-speed chases to develop endurance, agility, and hunting skills. A vital part of the captive-bred cheetah rewilding initiative, the cheetah run encourages cheetahs to sprint full speed, up to 120 km/h (70 mph) as part of their daily exercise routine.
2. Prey Simulation:
Cheetahs learn to stalk, chase, and capture moving targets using a specially designed lure. This training sharpens their reflexes and manoeuvrability, improving their chances of hunting successfully once released into the wild.
Did you know? Cheetahs have one of the highest hunting success rates among big cats. Since chasing prey requires huge bursts of energy, developing these skills is essential for their survival.
3. Minimal Human Interaction:
To ensure a smooth transition back into the wild, we limit human contact, reducing their dependence on people and encouraging natural behaviour.
By focusing on these essential skills, our rehabilitation programme increases the chances of successful reintroduction into the wild, helping South Africa’s cheetah population grow stronger.
Release: A Future in the Wild
Once a cheetah demonstrates the skills needed to survive—hunting, territory awareness, and self-sufficiency—it is carefully released into a protected reserve within its historic range. Every release is closely monitored to ensure a smooth transition to the wild.
By supporting Cape Cheetah Conservation, you’re helping to restore balance to South Africa’s ecosystems while securing a future for one of the world’s most endangered big cats.
