Cheetahs on the run

I had to save the best for last – the cheetahs. The main reason I chose PAWS was because I would have to chance to work with these unbelievable cats. Cheetahs are sort of the underdogs of the safari. Though they are stunning animals and the fastest land animal (they can go up to 75mph), they aren’t exactly equipped to last (they lose all the time to leopards and other predators) but are also being hunted to extinction because of their predilection for farm-raised animals.

They are such inquisitive cats and will come pretty close to investigate. They are also really vocal, whistling, huffing and even purring! A cheetah purring is so loud it kind of sounds like an incoming helicopter.

We were also incredibly lucky to be there during their health examinations. Africats has about 50 cheetahs that they’ve collected from traps, as former pets and such, and release as many as they can after they’ve been rehabbed and treated. About 16 are supposed to be released in May so we got to assist in grooming and cleaning them while they were checked by vets. AMAZING!! We were really up close and personal, which you’d never be able to do with a wild animal. Especially Georgia, who will always have a very special relationship with a cat names Spud :).

They get a full workup during the exam, including teeth and eye checks, blood work, vaccinations and even sperm count.

Their fur wasn’t as soft as it looks and they actually don’t do a great job grooming themselves so we had to comb all the burrs out and delouse with flea powder.

I got to hold hands with a cheetah!

We even got to feed them though they would hiss and paw the fence when we got too close.

Team Africat! I again got so lucky with the other volunteers. They were all Brits but we had so much fun together and it was nice to have such a varied group. Thanks, guys!!