Probus Bedfordview hosts talk on cheetah conservation in Southern Africa
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is making efforts to save the dwindling population of cheetah through the Cheetah Conservation Project.
The fastest animal on land is classified as vulnerable and decreasing by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
In efforts to strengthen and expand cheetah populations across Southern Africa, the Cheetah Conservation Project was launched.
This was shared by the Probus Bedfordview open meeting guest speaker, Olivia Sievert, who is the project coordinator at Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
At the meeting on March 3, Sievert said the project will pursue its aforementioned goal by informing policy and coordinating management, relocations, and reintroductions that enhance genetic diversity, improve connectivity and restore the species to its historical range.
ALSO READ: Probus Bedfordview discusses role of local government
“We’re trying to restore what we’ve lost and maintain what we have,” said Sievert. She added that there are 6 517 mature cheetah in the wild, with four populations of cheetah, which include free roamers, semi-managed, captive and metapopulation.
Breaking down their 2025 work, Sievert highlighted that they had:
• Driven 75 000km
• Conducted 27 relocations
• 34 cheetahs relocated
• Eight wild-born orphans rescued for care.
Sievert shared an example of their work at Lalibela Game Reserve, where, at the time (February 2025), there was only one male and one female cheetah who had two sons.
Upon reaching breeding age, the sons had to be relocated. Sievert explained that the process, which took five months, required permits, logistics and preparation work. The team, including the cheetah, travelled 14 hours to the new habitat.
Sievert said at the Greater Kruger National Park, there are 116 cheetah remaining.
Meanwhile, Probus president Ineke O’Dougherty inducted Michelle Sawyer as a member and presented her with her membership certificate, name badge and Probus leaflet. S
he announced that the brief AGM on April 7 would be followed by guest speaker, audiologist Candice van Heerden. At the May 5 meeting, Gordon Forbes would showcase the Mt Everest Base Camp.
Learn more at the Endangered Wildlife Trust https://ewt.org/
