Muffin was born on the 17th of May 2003 and is the first ambassador trained by the staff at the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust. He has three other siblings: a sister and two brothers. Yes, Muffin is a strange name for a male but his name started as a nickname and he just grew into it - he's the gentlest cheetah on the farm. The name Maverick was given to him because of his great independence ... and because so many people started calling him, her, so we thought it wasn't fair to "confuse" him! If he no one has time to play with him during the day he keeps himself occupied with his ball and the various trees in his enclosure. Our kitchen staff call him Bafana-Bafana because of his amazing "soccer" skills.

Muffin takes part in educational photo shoots and the photographic opportunities offered to our guests after tours. We use him for the shoots because of his sweet nature and his indifference (most times) to the cameras, the camera-men, the microphones and the interviewers. I'm told that cameras and camera-men are quite expensive these days, so it's best that they leave the Centre unharmed. There is a charge for the personal photographs with Muffin and the other ambassadors which funds our Education Programme. They all have a lot of work to do for their wild brothers. Muffin joined the Education Programme when he was six months old after his training was completed and is currently being trained to travel in a vehicle and to assist in the school work done by Byron, Mojadji and India.

His favourite toy is his ball which stays with him in his enclosure at all times and occupies him when he's bored. Muffin finds the strangest times during the day in which to play soccer.

His favourite game is to stalk you when you enter his enclosure and expects you to stalk him back ... when the pouncing moment comes - he bounds up to you and rubs himself against your legs being very careful not to knock you over. This is when I am glad I am not an impala.

Muffin has a foot fetish - he loves chewing my shoes and it's really annoying when i'm trying to demonstrate his gentle nature and I have a full-grown cheetah attached to my foot.

Muffin loves sitting in the bottom right hand corner of his camp so that he knows what's going on in the kitchen at all times. When it rains, the water collects in that corner and he's the picture of pity while he waits for his food.

Overall, Muffin is a very even-tempered cat with untapped patience and love, bursting his way into the hearts of every person that chooses to have the privilege of making his acquaintance.