Fi and cubs - April 2012

Fi and her 3 cubs remain very evasive in the temporary holding camps, which we're pleased about as their natural instincts to fear humans remain in tact.

Lucky, Ayla and Tearmark

Ayla

Lucky, Ayla, Tearmark, Tessa and Tosca have settled into their new camp well and love their new space. Lucky is definitely still the boss of the group, but she doesn’t seem to be able to mediate all of the tensions. Younger cubs Tessa and Tosca are having to adjust  to living with Ayla and Tearmark who are slightly older than them and therefore tend to dominate the group of four - and then Lucky just rules them all!

Samira and Chiquita April 2012

Samira and Chiquita are at it again! While the two generally live together peacefully, when it comes to feeding time things can get a bit competitive. The two elderly ladies will hiss and swipe at each other, each vying to eat first, until the other backs down. The winner tends to change each day as they are evenly matched in terms of dominance.

Pepper April 2012

Pepper is very beautiful, confident and feisty 5-year-old female who has become a perfect ambassador cheetah since her arrival at N/a'an ku se's Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre in Solitaire, in November 2011.

Aiko, Kiki and Aisha April 2012

Aiko, Kiki and Aisha are enjoying their new mound which we have recently built inside their enclosure. Cheetahs in general like to be high up so they can see into the far distance (and look out for predators and prey). In the wild they would seek out termite mounds and sit on top of them. So we thought we'd simulate this for our loveable trio. It's now become their favourite hang out place and they're always spotted sitting on top, looking around at their surroundings.

Cubby April 2012

Cubby has grown so much in the last few months - he is about 6 months old and is now living in a new large camp just next to the kitchen lapa where the staff and volunteers eat and socialise. 

Rusty - January 2012

Rusty has had eye problems for quite a while now so it was time for a professional doctor to have a look at him. On 13th November 2011, Jannes Brandt came to the farm in order to have a closer look at Rusty. 

Cubby - January 2012

On 17th November 2011, a baby cheetah was picked up from a farm located 100 kms away from Naankuse (Farm Lorraine). It was trapped in a capture cage by a farmer to then lure its mom and two siblings into the cage as well. Once caught, its mom and siblings were killed. Luckily, a neighboring farmer saw what was happening and the remaining cub could be rescued and picked up by us.

Lucky, Ayla and Tearmark - January 2012

Lucky finally has received a new camp!! She used to always be living in a small camp next to Rudie and Marlice's house, where she would be sharing with her cubs, Ayla and Tearmark. In the adjacent camp were two other cheetah cubes, Tessa and Tosca. 

Samira and Chiquita - January 2012

Samira recovered very well from her neck injury earlier in the year, but she had us worried again in November as she was not eating well. Our two old ladies seem to take turns when it comes to worrying us, which is understandable at their age!