| Highlights
of 2007
 Many
exciting things have happened this year, none more so than Bryan Habana’s
race against Cetane the cheetah – a really amazing experience
for all involved. Other happy
events have included Vanessa and Johnny’s beautiful wedding and
the long anticipated release of Ann’s second edition of “The
Cheetahs of De Wildt”, launched in concurrence with the Ann van
Dyk Conservation Walk.
So many individuals and organisations
have continued to support us during 2007. We thank you all and acknowledge
that we could not do what we do here without you!
The most amazing story of
courage and survival was that of Ntombi, the young female whose two
cubs were killed and who was shot in the neck. Her road to recovery
was long and hard but she was finally safely released into Hlambanyati
Game Reserve and is doing really well.
In the midst of all the cheetah
and leopard relocation stories have been some other rescues that, whilst
perhaps not quite as high profile or exciting, have certainly been heart
warming. Those of you who remember Bob (bundle of bird), the tiny guinea
fowl rescued and raised by Gaby, will be pleased to know that he has
joined Elna de Beer’s flock and is happily scratching around and
enjoying the things that guinea fowl do. Lucy the hospital cat is another
rescue success story – her transformation from terrified spitting
wildcat is quite astounding. She is now queen of the hospital compound,
usually to be found sunning herself by the steps. If you’re really
nice to her she might even allow you to tickle her behind the ears,
and then reward you with a fabulous purr!
On that note we hope that
you have enjoyed the last newsletter of 2007 and we would like to take
this opportunity to wish you a happy and prosperous new year!
Egyptian
Vulture Has Hope for the Future
 If
you enter De Wildt’s Egyptian Vulture enclosure, you may be able
to see a sight that has all but vanished from our lands. Not only are
there two Egyptian Vultures, a species that has already been declared
extinct in South Africa, but there is also a messy nest built into the
cliff wall, filled with sticks, bits of meat and bones. Not the best
nursery ever, but well suited to the Egyptian Vulture, which once enjoyed
scavenging for food in Rubbish heaps and considered faeces a delicacy.
For just over 42 days, both
of these birds have been taking turns to sit on this nest, protecting
their speckled eggs from harm.
However, these birds didn’t
realise that their eggs were very well protected. Closely monitored
by staff at De Wildt Cheetah Centre, these eggs carried the future of
the Egyptian Vulture species on their developing wings.
Then on 31 October 2007, the amazing event occurred, one egg hatched
and a tiny Egyptian Vulture chick emerged. It was decided to leave this
young pioneer to his parents care, so that he is not dependent upon
humans and he may one day become the start of a new generation of free
Egyptian Vultures. Now as we quietly watch over this happy family we
ponder the fate of this magnificent bird. As we watch the parents lovingly
regurgitate food into his waiting beak we have to wonder if any of these
unique creatures will once again soar through our African skies, as
they do in Europe and Asia.
Leopard
Rewilding can be successful
 The
De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust in cooperation with Shayamanzi Leopard
Project recently envisaged on a project to prove the viability and success
of rewilding a young wild born leopard cub back into the wild.
The 6 month old leopard was
received by the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust approximately one
and a half years ago. This leopard was kept in holding at the DeWildt/Shingwedzi
Wildlife Ranch and was then transferred to the Shayamanzi Leopard Project
where a one hectare camp was erected for the purpose of possible leopard
release. Jannie Parsons, owner of the Leopard Project made his property
in the Waterberg as well as his facilities available for this purpose.
After spending 12 months
in the one hectare camp with very little human contact, “Zorro”
as the leopard was named, was sedated and fitted with a gps/gsm collar
kindly sponsored by HOTGROUP.
Zorro was then released into
a conservation area in the Waterberg and has been monitored ever since.
Reports have been received of Zorro hunting and killing a blue wildebeest.
This is definitely an indication of the possible success of the rewilding
of young leopards.
Zorro will be monitored closely
to see if he comes into conflict with human farming activities or not.
This will point the way forward for more possible leopard release projects.
Funding to fit collars on such leopards is urgently required by the
De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust.
 Diesel's
Doggles
Diesel (our scat
sniffing dog) gets to work in some pretty hot, dry and dusty conditions.
He is also being taught to ride on the front of a quad bike where it
will be windy and we will be riding past thorn trees and into oncoming
insects (we get some big ones!).
His eyes have taken a bit
of strain with the dust on the last few trips and with the quad being
used in the field soon, Shannon our trainer became a bit concerned that
his eyes may need some protection. Seems there is nothing you can’t
get these days, so Diesel is now the proud owner of a pair of Doggles!!
Not only will they protect his eyes from the dust and elements, but
they are 100% UV protected AND very cool!
We all know that it is not
what you are doing that is important, but rather how you look when you
are doing it!
Cheetah
Conservationists and Staticians take hands to ensure Responsible Relocations
of Cheetahs
 The
De Wildt Wild Cheetah Project recently hosted a four day workshop on
the development of a Bayesian Network at the De Wildt Cheetah Lodge.
The workshop was led by statisticians
and Bayesian experts, Prof Kerry Mengersen and Sandra Johnson from the
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia, along with Alta
de Waal from the CSIR in South Africa. Representatives of De Wildt Cheetah
and Wildlife Trust as well as Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB) attended
the workshop. They expertly guided the statisticians to develop the
first ever Bayesian Network Model to assist in making scientifically
based decisions relating to the relocation of cheetahs into protected
areas in South Africa and Botswana.
It is envisaged that this
Bayesian Network Model could also be applicable to other cheetah range
states which have the dilemma of moving and translocating cheetahs due
to human conflict issues. The model for the relocation of cheetahs into
fenced protected areas designed during this workshop will also give
clear guidelines for future Cheetah Meta-Population Management in protected
areas, National Parks and Private Reserves in South Africa.
Art for
Animals
Thanks to the overwhelming
support of artists both local and overseas, we had an absolutely amazing
array of paintings donated for our Gala Dinner auction. Not all the
paintings were sold on the night so we have decided to review them in
this newsletter in case any of our readers might be interested in placing
a bid.
 Spotted
Wind
A face on oil painting
of ambassador cheetah Charlotte running at top speed by Graham Kearney.
Born in Gauteng, South Africa on 6th December 1978, Graham has always
loved art. By age 15 it was apparent that he was a highly gifted artist
with a prodigious talent and at 16 he exhibited works for the first
time with several well-known artists. A passion for wild places saw
Graham getting involved in nature conservation and his insightful paintings
of wildlife, landscapes and birds reflect this. Graham now works full
time as a wildlife artist - working mainly on private and corporate
commissions for the local and international market. He has a studio
in Benoni, South Africa. Graham's main medium is pastel with the occasional
work in acrylic and oil.
This painting is valued at R45,000 and bids are opening at R20,000.
 Gentle
Aristocat
Original painting
of cheetah Frik (named after rugby player Frik du Preez) by Elouise
Stahr. Frik the cheetah was father to the first king cheetahs bred at
De Wildt.
Elouise Stahr was born in South Africa. She has been in the hospitality
industry all her working life. She has always been a wildlife and nature
lover. She finished her SKI level 3 Field Guide Course in 2002. She
started her artistic career in 1999 and is self taught. She specializes
in pencil work as it gives a three dimensional effect. Elouise is the
manager of the De Wildt Cheetah Lodge.
Donated by Elouise Stahr
Bids start at R8,500 - valued at R20,000
 Shaka’s
Tree
Colleen says that
the inspiration for this painting is a lifelong love of the Cheetah,
and hearing the story of Shaka and Amos and the children.”
I tried to capture his vibrant happy spirit, and show him in a way that
everyone could admire his beauty and feel a part of his life, as though,
he was greeting them, personally.”
Colleen Caubin is a professional, award winning artist, living in Sonoma
County California.
Donated by Colleen Caubin
Bids start at R5,000 - valued at R15,000
 Shaka
Joe Marais was
born in Beaufort West, and grew up in KZN. A Natural love for drawing
led him to start sketching and painting. Inspired by the African landscape
and wild life, he used his preferred medium of acrylics, to capture
that beauty on canvas. In June 1993 his painting of two sparrows on
a milk-can was selected for the back page of Reader’s Digest.
In 1995 he was invited to exhibit at the “Washington Square Outdoor
Art exhibition”. He also exhibited successfully in Central Park,
New York, Canada and London. In January 2004 he exhibited at the Safari
Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada. His paintings can now
be found in the USA, Europe and Australasia.
Medium: Acrylic
Bids start at R8,500 - valued at R25,000
 Young
Ambassadors
Young ambassadors
depicts Shakespeare a young ambassador in training during 2006/7
Medium: Acrylic using fine brushes
Marilyn Hull was born in Zimbabwe and moved to South Africa in 1964.
She has worked with animals all her life and is passionate about wildlife.
She is a self taught artist who started her art career in 1999.
Donated by Marilyn Hull
Bids start at R5,000 - valued at R7,500
An Update
from the Field
The rains in Limpopo
have been the topic on all the farmers’ lips during the past month
and as such the complaints about the cheetahs and leopards have decreased.
The bush has thickened up a great deal resulting in fewer sightings
and as such less complaints. As one farmers wife put it: “When
it rains all the men are happy and when it doesn’t they are all
bedonered!”
Having said this
there have been occasional complaints and one leopard was caught on
a farm along the Canterbury road between Alldays and Swartwater. The
leopard had apparently been killing calves and the farmer had caught
it in his own cage. I attended to this and transferred the leopard from
the cage to the transport crate. It was kept at the Makulu Makete holding
pen for one night and released on a farm along the Limpopo the following
morning. The cat, a young female, eventually walked out of the crate
and slowly walked off along the river surveying her new home. We hope
that she finds a niche where she will be successful for many years to
come.
On the Anatolian
Guard dog front the past month was a busy one with three new placements
in the northern region of Limpopo. Pego, Gia and Fox found new homes
with sheep and goats on the local farms. It was also a time of bad news
as two weeks later Gia was found dead one morning in the kraal from
a suspected snake bite, showing just how tough it is for these dogs
in such a hostile environment. The other two seem to have settled in
well and the farmer with Fox informs me that his children have changed
the name to Jackal, as we don’t have foxes in this area!
 Anatolians
Delta and Echo are doing really well with their cattle herds and both
are working better than we could ever have hoped for at such a young
age! Echo spends all day and night in the bush with his herd returning
only for water, food and a swim to cool off when the cattle return for
water. Delta does much the same and both farmers are full of praise
for the dogs.
Personally I am
being well looked after by all of the tannies and they normally have
a look of horror when I mention that I live alone and cook for myself.
This is normally followed by the tannie scurrying around putting soup
into containers for me or giving me rusks and jams etc. I have also
been given some great advice by a worried farmer who says: “Rather
find a good housekeeper than marrying any girl just to cook for you!”
Advice I intend to follow!
Congratulations
Bryan!
 What
a magnificent and exciting season it has been for the Springboks, culminating
of course in their world cup final victory over England. Of course we
have all been watching Bryan Habana closely and have enjoyed so many
of his brilliant tries…it just goes to show that training against
cheetahs has its benefits!
Bryan has since picked up
an amazing array of awards including IRB World Player of the Year, Supersport
Try of the Year and SA Player of the Year. We would like to take this
opportunity to congratulate him on an amazing season, and to thank him
for supporting the cause of the cheetah in South Africa.
Bryan is a true sporting
hero and a credit to his country.
Experiencing De Wildt as
a Student
 When
describing my time at the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust, one word
springs to mind: INSPIRING
De Wildt Cheetah Centre Impacted
the way I look at conservation. It made me realise that as well as protecting
nature, one must also appreciate it.
My first few encounters with the animals were Nerve-wracking.
I didn’t know what to do but with the right guidance I soon felt
more confident and learnt some of the tricks of the trade.
In my time at De Wildt my knowledge of animal behaviour and management
grew beyond all expectation and I feel that my personal character changed
for the better. I can safely say that I have undergone Self-improvement.Looking
at Ann van Dyk, I can see that De Wildt is Passion
driven. Working with animals is not easy and it takes dedication and
commitment. These are aspects that I came to understand and experience
during my time at the centre.
The Interesting people
at De Wildt have taught me so much and will always be part of my memories
of my year there. De Wildt gave me a Really
great working experience in an Incredible
environment. For this I am privileged and grateful.
Natural ecosystems are
not easy to manage and this type of work takes a lot of patience.
De Wildt gave me a Glimpse
of what conservation is all about and has inspired me to strive for
success in the future. Thank you to everyone for your support and contribution
to my learning experience, and for helping to take me one step closer
to my dream.
Dorette
My De Wildt
Experience
 I
began my practical year excited to be able to work for De Wildt towards
cheetah conservation. Yet I was also nervous not really knowing what
to expect.
I have enjoyed every moment working at De Wildt and have learned a lot
not just about cheetahs and wild dogs but also about life and people.
It is very difficult to explain in words what De Wildt has meant for
me. One must experience it first hand to truly understand what this
centre can teach a person.
The centre was not just a job that I needed to stick to in order to
get my Nature Conservation Diploma – it was like a family with
everybody working towards the same goal.
Ann van Dyk, founder of the centre, showed me through all her accomplishments
that dreams can come true. It doesn’t matter how impossible your
dream looks as long as you work hard without giving up, you can achieve
it.
I just want to thank De Wildt for giving me the opportunity to gain
experience and learn from all the knowledgeable employees working at
the centre. De Wildt has provided the fundamental practical experience
that I need in order to continue a successful career as a nature conservationist.
Rezelle
The Perfect
Weekend Getaway
 Finally
on a well deserved break? Tired of the pre-Christmas rush? We have the
ideal solution for a weekend retreat.
Tucked away behind the Centre,
the De Wildt Cheetah Lodge is set in stunning gardens and boasts eight
beautifully decorated en-suite rooms. You can spend your days exploring
the wonders of cheetahs and wild dogs; enjoy sundowners to the sound
of nightjars and jackals; and finish with delicious home-cooked meals.
Conveniently close to both Johannesburg and Pretoria, it couldn’t
be easier.
For reservations please call
Louise on (012) 504 1921
Groovy Gifts
It’s that
time of year again – when we all start scratching our heads and
trying to work out what Christmas gifts to buy.
The De Wildt Cheetah Centre’s
shop is crammed full of gorgeous goodies with a distinctly African flavour.
The cuddly toys are my particular favourite! For even more unusual options,
why not consider an animal adoption or a tour of the centre? Animal
lovers would also love a copy of Ann van Dyk’s new book “The
Cheetahs of De Wildt”.
Please feel free to drop
us an email or call the centre on (012) 504 1921 if any of these gift
ideas appeal to you. We’ll be happy to help!
From the
Adoptions Desk
It’s been
such a wonderful year on the adoptions front and I am so grateful to
those of you who support our program. Our total number of adoptive parents
is almost 500 and I would like to thank each and every one of you for
your loyalty and your support of our ‘wild children’.
Your donations go directly
towards taking care of the animals that live here at the De Wildt Cheetah
and Wildlife Centre as well as those at Shingwedzi Wildlife Ranch. More
specifically contributions go towards food, medical care and enclosure
maintenance for our animals.
In an ideal world it would
be wonderful to release every rescued or captive bred animal back into
its natural habitat but sadly this is realistically impossible. Like
our very special ‘wild children’, Betty and Jaws, many of
our rescued animals are badly injured and quite simply would not survive
in a wild environment.
One must also bear in mind
that as a breeding facility it is necessary to maintain a broad variety
of genetic lines available for future breeding – only possible
by keeping a population of one hundred or so individuals on site.
Finally there are limited
areas available that can take animals, particularly in the case of the
African wild dogs that need vast tracts of land in order to avoid coming
into conflict with farmers and game ranchers. Therefore we keep them,
ever in hope of finding safe wild homes sometime in the future.
Your help as adoptive parents
means that these animals can live out their lives in the very best of
conditions and with the best care possible. That is a gift which is
beyond compare.
New Parents
Diamond
Kathy Sweet x2, Stainless Projects CC, PENTAX Europe, Michaela Dobrindt,
Sonja Rener, Gilla Kaplan, Penny Rogers, Zarina Lee Cooper
Platinum
Parinaz Nozohour, Sarah Patterson, Oliver and Nathalie Schneider, Elizabeth
Kühne
Gold
Linda Creagan, Marissa Yates, Darren Yates x2, Sue Partridge, Jack,
Matthew, Hannah and Joshua Windsor, In Memory of Ginger Gray, Catherine
Kühne, Klaus Kühne, Jo-Ann Garbutt
Silver
Julie Peter, Pauline Sonley, Ingrid Smit, Thia and Pieter van der Westhuizen
x2, Lynda Rhodes, Stefani Roets, Sylvia Hobbs x2, Dean van Leeuwen,
Theresa Nelson, Odette Venter, Charmain Hulley, André Smih, Mr
Carter’s 2007-2008 4th Grade Class, Jonas Feit, Kathy Perles,
Kevin Rushing, Deborah Singiser, Mikey Filhage, Peter Wingård,
Natalie Holmes, Steve & Tracy Broadbent, Kali Shepstone, Tuscany
Zoe Anne Bramwell, Luc Bramwell Kullman
Renewals
Diamond
Henri Seriese, Toni Aspinall, Ken & Maureen Cram, Rachel Cirinlione,
Alexander & Rebecca Kendziorski x3
Platinum
Frans Hölsgens, George & Beverly Hritz
Gold
Grace Mawbey, Holly Mawbey, David Michielson, Nicholas Smith, Birgit
Oberdieck
Silver
Rosemary Adcock, Enid Medew, Teddi Maclean, Larise Carte
Should
you wish to be on our newsletter list please contact us:
Cheetah@dewildt.org.za
We'd love to hear from you!!
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