The Selati Wilderness Foundation (SWF) celebrated its cheetah conservation project, called Fast Paws, at the White River Gallery at Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre on Tuesday July 21.

This was also a joint launch of two wines from Four Paws Wines and new book by locals Gus and Margie Mills, Fast Cats on Red Sands-The Lives of Kalahari Cheetahs and Their Researchers.

Some Lowvelders could not miss the chance to mingle with a glass of Four Paws’ variety wines while indulging in conversations about cheetahs.

Rob Snaddon of the Selati Game Reserve, said SWF is a non-profit company that seeks to extend its impact beyond the reserve, reaching local communities and schools through various support initiatives.

“The funds generated by SWF, enable us to enhance conservation-focused education, monitor wildlife, protect endangered species, and expand our scientifically sound research capabilities. What sets us apart is our unique ability to attract funds through unforgettable conservation experiences, complemented by valuable wildlife insights derived from Selati Game Reserve’s research. These experiences, which include assisting with rhino monitoring, wild dog and cheetah interactions, elephant collaring, and immuno contraceptives, have made Selati Game Reserve a sought-after research partner.”

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He said it is a pleasure to partner with Four Paws Wines from Franschhoek in the Western Cape, and the Mills’s in the extraordinary celebration of cheetah conservation. SWF collaborated with the winery to support the ongoing work in cheetah conservation.

“The two wines, Huja and Lillie, are named after two of the farms that make up Selati Game Reserve. As with much of southern Africa, these farmlands would have historically been populated by cheetahs. This year, the winery sponsored a long-range tracking collar for the continued monitoring of the cheetah population at Selati Game Reserve. This highly advanced technology gives the research team invaluable, real-time data on the movements and behaviour of the cheetahs,” said Snaddon at the launch.

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Gus said their book will appeal to a wide variety of people, from big cats and cheetah enthusiasts to wildlife and animal lovers in general and people who have fallen under the spell of the red sands of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park or the wider Kalahari.

He said they had spent six years in the Kalahari to study the lives of cheetahs and their habitats.