Cheetah Update

It’s been over a year since we first introduced cheetah at UmPhafa Nature Reserve back in January 2025, and already we have experienced numerous ups and downs with our founder population. You can see our September 2025 update here.

Balula

Following Balula’s injury to his leg, the intern coordinators and remaining intern, Dan, dragged meat around the outisde of the Boma in November 2025, to help him exercise the limb. This proved successful and the vet checked his leg over to see that it had healed nicely. Later that month, Balula was successfuly collared and released on the Reserve. Following his release, the team have been keeping a close eye. Each time they have seen him, he has definitely had a meal and his body condition looked good.

Duma

At the end of December 2025 we sadly lost male cheetah Duma, who was attacked and killed by a leopard on Christmas day. He arrived at UmPhafa Nature Reserve on 24th May 2025 and was released from the Boma on 28th August 2025. He was regularly seen doing fence patrols and even met up with othe male cheetah, Balula, and female cheetah, Ashia. We shall all miss him dearly.

New Beginnings

At the beginning of January 2026, the team received a call from the Cheetah Advisory Committee who have a single male who is desperate for a home. He is orphaned with three other siblings at Hluhluwe Umfolozi Reserve in Zululand. The male and two females are currently with the vet for health checks and at 18 months old, he will need careful monitoring. After being asked if we can take him, we of course said yes!

It will be a little while before he arrives whilst they sort out permits but we hope to see him soon.