After a lot of hard work and high hopes from the dedicated team at Western Cape Cheetah Conservation (WCCC) the second step in their rescue and rehabilitation programme has been completed. Two wild cheetahs have been released to roam free at Inverdoorn Game Reserve & Iziba Safari Lodge.

Based in the Ceres Karoo, two and a half hours from Cape Town, the cheetah centre was founded in 2001. The rescue and rehabilitation of cheetahs is complimented by the breeding and interaction programmes. The former aims to increase the number of the species, as well as their genetic diversity. The interactions allow guests to meet Velvet and Iziba, the tame cheetahs, while chatting to handlers and volunteers about the conservation of this amazing big cat.

Besides interacting with cheetahs and visiting the centre during the game drives at the reserve, guests have the opportunity of watching cheetahs run after the sunset safari. These runs form an important part of both the breeding and rehabilitation programmes. With wild cheetahs now roaming free in the game reserve, guests have something extra to look out for during safaris.

The two cheetahs have adapted well and successfully hunt lechwe, duiker, springbok and even ostrich. The team chose to release one male and one female into the reserve in the hopes that they will mate and bring cubs into the world. In the reserve the work continues as the team monitors the cheetahs' progress, while the centre continues to rehabilitate the other cheetahs so that hopefully, one day, they too will enjoy the same freedom.

Visit the website: www.inverdoorn.com

About Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Iziba Safari Lodge:

Inverdoorn Game Reserve and Iziba Safari Lodge is located in the Ceres Karoo, just two and a half hours from Cape Town. Stretching across 10 000 hectares, Inverdoorn is the largest private game reserve in the area, providing sanctuary to an abundance of wildlife. The game reserve offers a premier safari experience including game drives, luxury accommodation and incredible insight into the rescue and rehabilitation of the cheetah.

Inverdoorn offers guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really get to grips with a cheetah through its Exclusive Encounters package that allow guests to spend time interacting with the cheetahs through stroking, petting and giving the cheetahs water. Guests who opt for the five-star luxury accommodation packages automatically enjoy the one-on-one encounters while an optional extra package is available to other overnight guests and even day visitors

For media questions please contact:

Claudia Hauter: claudia@inverdoorn.com