Cheetah Boys Released

After three months in the quarantine boma on Karongwe Private Game Reserve, the day had arrived for Jabu and Djuma our two newest cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) additions, to be released. The Reserve Manager, a land owner and Sandra, one of our staff field researchers, met at the boma for the grand event. The coalition were hiding in the long grass but watching intently. The Reserve Manager enticed them out by dragging half of a male Impala behind his truck. Thankfully this worked first time and the boys were out in only a few seconds. They spent the rest of the day right next to the boma, feeding and sleeping. They probably still thought they were inside the boma as they recognized the fence, but this time, were on the outside.

Sandra sat with the boys for the rest of the afternoon to monitor their behaviour. As we had been doing for months in decreasing distances, she walked up to within 15 metres to acclimate them to people on foot. They remained curious but very relaxed.

Over the next few weeks the boys explored the reserve, meeting Savannah, a female cheetah, and her two 15 month old male cubs. There have been no altercations between the two pairs of males, which the research staff were initially concerned about. The volunteers from following expeditions have been intently adding the research data for the new males our comprehensive database, where it can but used in future wildlife conservation projects where cheetah coalition relocations will be used.

They didn’t make their first kills until about day 10 after the release, but have since settled in nicely and established a more regular hunting pattern.

Djuma has already befriended Ketswiri, a 3 year old female, who was in oestrus. They spent three days together, but were not seen mating. It is now a waiting game to see if she has cubs in November.

Sandra Jacob, Research Staff Member

Cheetah Boys Released