Four cheetahs have been reintroduced into Eswatini after over 35 years of absence.
According to Mail & Guardian, the cheetahs, two male and two female, part of the Southern Africa cheetah metapopulation programme aiming to restore and manage cheetah populations across the region, have been released into Royal Jozini Private Game Reserve.
The reintroduction of the species was carried out in two phases. Two adult females were translocated from Nyosi Wildlife Reserve in December 2025 and released into Royal Jozini in January after a period of quarantine and acclimatisation. Two adult males from Dinokeng Game Reserve followed in April.
The males underwent veterinary checks and acclimatisation before being released and are being monitored through satellite and VHF tracking as well as field observations.
Project partners report that the females have adapted well, successfully hunting and establishing territories, while the males have been ranging across the northern and eastern sections of the reserve. Tracking data indicates that the males and females are now occupying neighbouring areas, increasing the likelihood of breeding.
The four animals are currently the only cheetahs in Eswatini. Conservationists hope the population will eventually expand through a broader national metapopulation programme involving additional reserves and protected areas.
