In October 2022, the Forever Wild Foundation embarked on an urgent mission to continue its efforts to protect the cheetah population within South Africa’s Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Working alongside Wildlife ACT, a pressing need for new GPS collars was identified. The success of the cheetah conservation programme had brought its own set of challenges. While the initial group of released cheetahs had thrived, their tracking collars were nearing the end of their lifespan, and their offspring were now old enough to need their own.
Finding a cheetah suitable for darting, ensuring the availability of a veterinary officer, and having the right collar on hand all need to align perfectly in order for the operation to be a success. During this collaring, all the factors aligned. The cheetah was darted, fitted with a GPS collar, and carefully monitored as the drugs wore off. Everything went according to plan, a testament to the skill and precision of the team on the ground.
With one cheetah successfully collared, there are still more to go. This operation highlighted the ongoing need for support and funding. Every collar, every darting, and every successful tracking mission requires resources and careful planning. The dedication of organisations like Wildlife ACT, supported by the Forever Wild Foundation, is what makes these efforts possible.
The success of this collaring mission underscored the critical role that monitoring equipment plays in conservation. With the data from GPS collars, we can track each cheetah’s range, movements, and health, helping us respond quickly to any threats or changes in behaviour. This information is crucial for ensuring that the cheetahs adapt well to their environment, find adequate food, and avoid potentially dangerous encounters with other predators.