Have you ever gone eye to eye with a Cheetah? Do you know the story of the Cheetah Spots...how did they get their tears?
Cheetah - Their tears...The world’s fastest land animal is quickly vanishing from the earth. The cheetah, Africa’s most endangered cat, is losing its natural habitat, prey base and suffering from the encroachment of people and livestock.
Cheetahs at Safari West are an integral part of our conservation program. They serve as ambassadors for their species, allowing us to share the story of the need to save this critically endangered species.
When you visit Safari West, we hope you’ll learn more about one of nature’s most graceful creatures, enjoy our glorious animals and spend time with some of our cheetah experts. The race is on; help us make sure the cheetah comes out victorious.
For an exclusive Behind the Scenes or Fast Cat Alley visit with our cheetah handlers, please email Marie Martinez at mmartinez[@]safariwest.com. You may also call her at (707) 579-2551.
For Behind the Scenes there is an additional fee involved. Please understand we cannot accomodate everyone-visits are based upon the discretion of the animal keeper. You need to call ahead for this special animal encounter.
Safari West collaborates closely with the following organizations in our global effort to save the cheetahs.
Cheetah Conservation Fund
Dr. Marker of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, (CCF) has dedicated her life to studying the cheetah and its habits, and preserving its way of life. She set up the not-for-profit Cheetah Conservation Fund in 1990, moving to Namibia to develop a permanent Conservation Research Centre for the wild cheetah. In 2000 Dr. Marker was recognized as one of Time Magazine’s Heroes for the Planet and given the Burrow’s Conservation Award from Cincinnati, Ohio.
CCF’s long-term goal is to develop a conservancy for cheetahs on Namibia's livestock farmlands in co-operation with farmers and local communities. Conservation of this last, large stronghold for cheetahs will determine if the species will survive for future generations.
De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust
De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust is located in the foothills of the Magaliesberg in South Africa's North West Province, an hour from Johannesburg and forty-five minutes from Pretoria.
Established in 1971 with the aim of breeding endangered species, De Wildt has successfully born 750 cheetah cubs – a dramatic contrast to the days when the cheetah population of South Africa was estimated at a mere 700. De Wildt has widened its conservation efforts to include other rare and endangered African animals. Many of these have been successfully bred for later reintroduction into the wild.
To achieve its mission the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust has an extensive community outreach and education program and a strategic breeding plan. The Trust conducts research on wildlife disease and nutrition. In South Africa it has implemented a national plan for the conservation of free roaming cheetah.
Two of Safari West's newest cheetahs, Sahara and Madeba, are from De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust.
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