MoDjadji

Modjaji is a royal creature in more than just one way. Not only is she a king cheetah, bearing the remarkably different coat pattern that was once thought to indicate a different cheetah species, but she also bears the name of a queen, namely the rain queen, ruler of the … tribe. To top it all, she also has a right royal attitude and is easily the most aloof of all the cheetahs on the farm, if not in existence.

She was born at De Wildt on 7 June 2003 and like Byron, the head ambassador, spent the first year of her life at Cheetah Outreach in the Cape. During this time she was trained in the ways of an ambassador cheetah and since her return to De Wildt has formed an integral part in the education programme.

Although aloof and full of her own sense of importance, Modjadji is nonetheless a gentle soul and has a subtle, laid back approach to life that is lacking in certain other ambassadors. She has a tendency to drift off under even the most extreme circumstances, often appearing to be gazing off into a daydream world of her own creation. Modjadji has even been caught laying her head in her handler’s lap so that she can catch a few zzz’s, a catnap of sorts, before appearing before a crowd of admirers. Though this hasn’t happened much since she’s grown into the beauty that she is today.

As with any wild animal, however, Modjadji can be wilful and uncooperative. Catch her on a bad day and you’ll need a world of patience to convince her to do what you want. Many a time she has made quite a spectacle of herself, and her handlers, by planting all fours and playing that stubborn streak of hers to the full, whilst they beg, plead and bribe in an attempt to convince her to move to the required destination. You might look at it as the ultimate in royal tantrums. It’s almost like she’s saying “Yes, I know I’m gorgeous, I know you want to see me, touch me and experience me, but you can’t, because I don’t feel like it today.”

Away from the demands of educational work, Modjadji is a very family orientated feline and has an exceptionally close bond with her sister Graca. This closeness, however, does not preclude a large amount of teasing from her side. Taunting Graca during a lusty game of tag through their camp is one Modjadji’s favourite pass times.

All in all, she is a fantastic addition to the ambassador family at De Wildt. Her striking appearance is of utmost benefit in sharing the beauty and value of the cheetah with people. She also has beautiful table manners and can at times be extremely affectionate. Just don’t catch her on a bad day, because then you’ll be lucky if she deems to even acknowledge that you exist, let alone smile nicely for the people.