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Ambassador for raising awareness for the Cheetah and other small predators on South African farmland. Highlights the importance of the Livestock Guarding Dog Program which results in the removal of shooting, snares, traps and poison in African farms.

Cheetahs have a slender and aerodynamic build, characterized by a deep chest, a narrow waist, and long legs. They are covered in a short, coarse coat with black tear markings running down their faces.

 

Ebony was born at Cheetah Experience on 10 April 2014 hand-raised. He used to meet visitors in encounters at our facility as well as at onsite and off-site functions. but has retired from the public interaction since 2020. Ebony with his perfect shaped head, is chosen often to be the cover of the magazine of our facility.

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 to 70 miles per hour (97 to 113 kilometers per hour) in short bursts covering distances up to 500 meters. Their acceleration and speed make them highly effective predators during chases.

 

Macjik was born at Cheetah Experience on 15 April 2015, and hand-raised at Cheetah Outreach to be an Ambassador cheetah.  A very confident cheetah and a great performer in the runs we host, he has a strong bond with is adopted brother Romeo. According to his brother, Macjik is the carrier of the family jewels.

Cheetahs are specialized for hunting small to medium-sized ungulates, such as gazelles and impalas. They rely on stealth and their remarkable speed to get as close as possible before launching a high-speed chase to catch their prey.

 

Romeo was born at Cango Wildlife Ranch on 23 May 2015 and hand-raised at Cheetah Outreach to be an Ambassador cheetah. He is extremely affectionate and loves all the attention he gets during encounters as well as from staff and volunteers. Romeo does have a Juliet, one of our Ambassador Dogs. but unlike the true love story, these two do not die out of love for each other.

Cheetahs are often solitary animals, but they may form small groups, especially during the time spent with siblings or in the case of a mother with cubs. Male coalitions, typically consisting of brothers, may also form to increase hunting success.

 

Tinashe was born at Cheetah Experience on 13 November 2016 and was initially hand-raised there before coming to Cheetah Outreach at about a year of age to join his brothers as an Ambassador cheetah. He takes part in our awareness program, greeting visitors in encounters at our facility. He’s a very sweet cat who loves human attention. Least liked enrichment item: feathers of which he is very scared. He lives with his brothers Kitu and Tobias.

Cheetahs use a variety of vocalizations, including purrs, growls, and chirps. They may use vocalizations for communication within family groups or during encounters with other cheetahs.

 

Kitu was born at Cheetah Experience on 13 November 2016 and hand-raised at Cheetah Outreach to be an Ambassador cheetah. He takes part in our awareness program, greeting visitors in encounters, functions and photoshoots at our facility. He is our “little kid” showing often to the handlers who’s Boss. He lives with his brothers Tobias and Tinashe.

Cheetahs are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. They face various threats, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching.

 

Tobias was born at Cheetah Experience on 13 November 2016 and hand-raised at Cheetah Outreach to be an Ambassador cheetah. Being the prodigal son, he is a cheetah that definitely has built strong bonds with specific handler(s). He lives with his brothers Kitu and Tinashe.

Cheetahs have several physical adaptations for speed, including a lightweight frame, large nasal passages for increased oxygen intake, and non-retractable claws for better grip during sprints.