Animal Diaries Archive

Australia Zoo Funds A Cheetah Release In South Africa

6 May 2005

Great news! Australia Zoo has raised enough funds to sponsor a cheetah release in South Africa, conducted by DeWildts Cheetah Research Centre. At DeWildt's they have over 155 cheetahs in their care. They play a huge part in rehabilitating and re-releasing cheetah. Our 2 male cheetah cubs were born at DeWildt's. For many years to come we will be raising money to help the staff at DeWildts carry on the very important work they perform.

With the help from funds raised through our cheetah and tiger walks, along with the sales of big cat merchandise, we have currently raised $10 000. We have also had the Big Cat team hard at work hand-making jewellery that comes with its very own photo of our tigers or cheetahs. With everybody's help we are now able to start on our first project for cheetah conservation. With the money raised we will fund radio collars, tracking equiptment, relocation costs and regular updating for one lucky cheetah in South Africa.

It costs a lot of money and takes a long time, but everyone here at Australia Zoo, and DeWildt's feels extremely proud to help such a critically endangered animal.

Our cheetahs and tigers here at the Zoo are ambassadors for big cats in the wild. They help us educate the public on the past, present and future status of the tiger and cheetah. With only about 12 000 - 14 000 cheetah left in the wild and 5 000 tigers, we can only expect that future generations will be unable to admire such animals unless we do something now! Coming up within the next month we will be having some special events to help continue the fundraising. On the 18th of May, our cheetah males Echo and Foxtrot, are turning 1 year old. There's a huge party happening soon at Australia Zoo and everybodys invited. We'd love to see you here...

Thank you everybody for their help, and thank you to DeWildts cheetah research centre for all the hard work you put in to help such a beautiful animal.