Wild and Captive Cheetahs in Namibia

Unexpected opportunities

I am a geologist. Much of my time is spent working far abroad, away from family and occasionally very remote. Aside from missing family there are many aspects that I love, from the complexity of the geology to immersion in differing cultures and environments. One recent opportunity presented itself during a routine survey. Sitting atop one such survey point were four quite majestic cheetahs — probably a Mum and three youngish cubs.

We couldn't get too close and weren't about to leave the bakkie to walk! In the end we got to about 20 metres away before they got up and trotted off and we left them to their own devices at that point. They didn't appear to be collared and were certainly wild. Colleagues later spotted the same four cheetah with a fresh animal kill the following day.

Following a subsequent field trip we took some time out on the way back home to visit the amazing N/a’an ku sê wildlife sanctuary (http://www.naankuse.com/). It was a fantastic opportunity to see some of the work done in country to support carnivore conservation and meet some cheetahs in captivity (amongst other magnificent animals). Many of the animals they house have been orphaned through poaching, ignorance or stupidity but are now too used to captivity to be re-released. N/a’an ku sê provides a welcome sanctuary and a great educational resource as well. The picture below is one of their captive cheetahs — which are so impressive this close up, and with the loudest purr (the same cheetah is in the following all too brief youtube clip).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFFKBfTmRvQ&feature=youtu.be

All in all, I am grateful for my work as a geologist and for the opportunity it gave to see this magnificent carnivore both in the wild and in sanctuary. For anyone visiting Namibia in the future I would heartily recommend a visit to the N/a’an ku sê Foundation.