Thula Thula Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal has fitted new tracking collars on four cheetahs as part of its ongoing conservation efforts.
According to Sunday Tribune, the operation, conducted late last month, involved the reserve’s Anti-Poaching Unit, management team, field guides and Veterinarian Trever Viljoen. The cheetahs – Amani, Asante, Malaika and Ayana – were sedated and fitted with tracking collars during the time-sensitive procedure.
Thula Thula Owner Francoise Malby-Anthony said the collaring marks an important milestone in the reserve’s conservation programme.
“We introduced the first two male cheetahs from the Eastern Cape and later brought in a female from Mpumalanga. Their arrival was only possible after expanding Thula Thula from 1 000 hectares to 5 000 hectares,” she said.
The reserve said the expansion created sufficient space for predators to contribute to maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
The new collars will enable staff to monitor the cheetahs in real time, improve anti-poaching efforts, track movements and collect ecological data.
