Notable Achievements
The centre first achieved international recognition for bringing the cheetah back from the brink of extinction - it was largely due to the centre that the cheetah was removed from the endangered species list of the South African Red Data Book for Terrestrial Mammals in 1986. Its success can be seen from the fact that, since its inception, over 600 cheetah cubs have been born at the centre, which is a dramatic increase from the period when the total cheetah population of South Africa was estimated at only 700.
In addition to its cheetah breeding success, the centre has also had other notable successes:
- The first breeder of the rare king cheetah. As a result it was proved that the king cheetah was not a separate species but genetically identical to the true cheetah, but only with a variation of coat pattern and colouring.
- The breeding and release of captive-born African Wild Dog packs (southern Africa's most endangered carnivore), into a natural habitat.
- A breeding nucleus of the highly endangered Riverine Rabbit has been donated to the Karoo National Park, a natural habitat of the species.
- A breeding nucleus of the Suni antelope was donated to the Kruger National Park as a resulting of the centre's highly successful Suni breeding programme.
Between 1975 and 2005, 242 litters were born with a total of 785 cubs. In a study done by Bertschinger, H. J., Meltzer, D. J. A., & Van Dyk, A. (2008), the survival rate of cubs was examined. “Mean cub survival from 1 to 12 months and greater than 12 months of age was 71.3 and 66.2%, respectively.” This study shows that cheetahs can be bred successfully and that their endangerment can be decreased through these breeding programs.
Read more about this topic: De Wildt Cheetah And Wildlife Centre
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