My Forty-Two Years in Cheetah and Wild Dog Conservation Ann Van
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MY FORTY-TWO YEARS IN CHEETAH AND WILD DOG CONSERVATION ANN VAN DYK An account of achievements over more than four decades in cheetah and wild dog conservation by The Ann van Dyk De Wildt Cheetah Centre and De Wildt-Shingwedzi Wildlife Ranch, Bela Bela, South Africa 1971–2013 MY FORTY-TWO YEARS IN CHEETAH AND WILD DOG CONSERVATION ANN VAN DYK An account of achievements over more than four decades in cheetah and wild dog conservation by The Ann van Dyk De Wildt Cheetah Centre and De Wildt-Shingwedzi Wildlife Ranch, Bela Bela, South Africa 1971–2013 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am deeply indebted to the following: Cynthia Kemp for her valuable advice and time spent editing this document; Alan Strachan for constructive suggestions and aid with illustrative and other material; Marilyn Hull for her encouragement and editorial assistance; Petro van Eeden for helping to compile the list of research projects. A special word of thanks to my nephews; Eric, whose selfless and untiring efforts have helped to make the Centre what it is today, and Mark, for his constant support. Text © Ann van Dyk, 2013 Photographs © Ann van Dyk, Howard Buffett, Marilyn Hull, Dick Reucassel, Ron Magill; (some donated photographs unknown) All Rights Reserved. The Ann van Dyk De Wildt Cheetah Centre Box 1756, Hartbeespoort, 0216, South Africa telephone +27 (0) 12 504 9906/7/8 cellphone +27 (0) 83 892 0515 e-mail [email protected] www.dewildt.co.za De Wildt-Shingwedzi Wildlife Ranch Box 808, Bela Bela, 0480, South Africa telephone +27 (0) 87 751 4001 cellphone +27 (0) 83 257 7395 e-mail [email protected] www.dewildt.co.za The De Wildt Cheetah Lodge Box 1756, Hartbeespoort, 0216, South Africa cellphone +27 (0) 79 266 2716 e-mail [email protected] www.dewildt.co.za Printed on Cocoon, 100% recycled paper 2 THE AIM OF THIS DOCUMENT a) to outline the important and far-reaching achievements of the privately owned, not-for- profit, Ann van Dyk De Wildt Cheetah Centre (later expanding to the De Wildt-Shingwedzi Wildlife Ranch near Bela Bela), particularly in the management and breeding of some southern African endangered species such as cheetah, wild dog, riverine rabbit, suni antelope, Cape griffon and Egyptian vulture. b) to examine the logistics of providing unique facilities where endangered animals can be observed at close quarters, interacting with their environment; and to examine the development of a number of diverse genetic lines (invaluable for future restocking in areas where populations are either decimated or require new blood lines). c) to give credit to the work undertaken by the veterinarians, researchers and zoologists (local and international), as well as past and present staff at the Centre and Shingwedzi, all of whom have contributed significantly to the Centre’s success; all research projects are undertaken with the approval of the Centre’s Research Committee and in many cases with the support of the University of Pretoria and are subject to the approval of the University’s Ethics Committee. d) to thank the many veterinarians and veterinary clinics, who over the years have believed in and supported our cause. e) to express my gratitude to the large corporations, businesses and private enterprises who have sponsored, donated and contributed over the past 42 years. f) to acknowledge the cooperation of government, specifically the departments of Nature Conservation and Education. g) to indicate direction for the future: in order to preserve the continent’s varied and amazing wildlife, young people need to be involved now and as a matter of urgency; the Centre sees this as a priority and The Outreach Education Programme is its flagship. Junior rangers meet Byron 3 CONTENTS The aim of this document 3 Accolades 5 Veterinary Collaboration 6 National Zoological Gardens 7 The De Wildt, Shingwedzi and Lodge teams 8 CHEETAH CONSERVATION (1971–2012) Distribution, past and present 10 The De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre 11 The early days 12 The opening of the Centre 13 The breakthrough: the birth of 23 cubs from 6 females 15 Birth of a king cheetah 17 Full king litter 19 Placement of cheetah cubs born in captivity 20 Release of captive-born cheetahs into their natural environment 24 Release of captive-born and wild-caught cheetahs on Jubatus Cheetah Reserve 29 Release of captive-born cheetahs on Makulu Makete Wildlife Reserve 33 The De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 35 The National Wild Cheetah Management Programme 36 Cheetah relocations 39 The Anatolian Shepherd Dog Programme 40 WILD DOG CONSERVATION (1978–2012) Distribution, past and present 42 Breeding programme at De Wildt 43 The SASOL camp 43 Release of captive-born and wild-caught wild dogs (3 males and 3 females) on Madikwe Game Reserve 45 EXPANSION De Wildt-Shingwedzi Wildlife Ranch 49 The De Wildt Cheetah Lodge 52 FURTHER BREEDING PROGRAMMES Suni antelope 53 Riverine rabbit 54 Cape griffon 55 Egyptian vulture 55 EDUCATION 57 CHEETA (Community Help Enviro – Education Through Animals) 62 THE FUTURE 63 RESEARCH PROJECTS 64 4 ACCOLADES Through the years, the following prestigious awards have been presented to Ann van Dyk and the Centre: South African Nature Foundation: Gold Medal Award (1998) ‘For the Outstanding Contribution towards Conservation’ Wildlife Society of South Africa: Gold Medal Award (2001) ‘In Recognition of Outstanding Service to Conservation’ Faculty Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria: The Chancellor’s Medal (2003) ‘For Significant Contribution to Wildlife Conservation’ Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia: Conservation Award (2004) ‘For a Lifetime Dedicated to the Survival of the Cheetah’ Afrikaanse Hoërskool, Pretoria: Toekenning (2007) ‘Vir monumentale bydrae tot die Bewaring van die Jagluiperd’ African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB): Conservation Award (2009) ‘Conservation of the Cheetah’ Wildlife Ranching in South Africa (WRSA): Rancher of the Year (2010) One of five finalists COLLABORATION The Centre works in cooperation with the following: Southern Africa and Africa The University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, Pretoria South African Veterinary Foundation Mammal Research Institute, Pretoria National Zoological Gardens, Pretoria PAAZAB (Pan African Association of Zoos and Aquariums) DEAT (National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism) North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment North West Department of Education Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Limpopo Department of Education Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs Gauteng Department of Education WESSA (Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa), Howick Cheetah Outreach, Western Cape Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia Endangered Wildlife Trust, Johannesburg International WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora); the Centre was the first CITES-approved cheetah-breeding facility in the world ISIS (International Species Information System) 5 VETERINARY COLLABORATION For their outstanding contributions, I am extremely grateful to the following veterinary scientists and zoologists: The late Professor David Meltzer was head of Price Forbes Chair in Wildlife Diseases, University of Pretoria, and world renowned in the field of captive cheetah management. At my side from the beginning (in the early 1970s), he was practical and forthright. He supported my enthusiasm, and his own contribution to cheetah conservation is incalculable. Professor Henk Bertschinger, formerly head of the Department of Theriogenology, Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria, joined Prof. David Meltzer at De Wildt in 1975. He has voluntarily given a great deal of time to projects pertaining to the cheetah and wild dog and has played a crucial role in the pioneering and success of both these programmes. Professor Brough Coubrough, formerly dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria, assisted Prof. David Meltzer and Prof. Henk Bertschinger with the testing and selection of breeding cheetah males. Professor Joseph van Heerden, formerly head of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Medunsa, Pretoria, is recognized for his work and research on wild dogs, namely, diseases, immobilization and sedation methods, and the capture and care of these animals in captivity. Dr Peter Caldwell is principal veterinarian for The Ann van Dyk De Wildt Cheetah Centre and the De Wildt-Shingwedzi Wildlife Ranch. Together these Centres house over 140 cheetahs and 70 wild dogs but despite his busy private practice, he assists us with all our veterinary needs. He has amassed a wealth of veterinary wildlife knowledge and is today one of the world’s foremost experts on cheetahs. Dr Gerhard Steenkamp, head of the Veterinary Dentistry Clinic at Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria, is one of the world’s top veterinary dentists. He has worked with a variety of wild animals from elephants to honey badgers and has assisted the Centre for many years. He is also chairman of the Centre’s Research Committee. Professor Remo Lobetti, a leading veterinarian, has assisted with the scoping of cheetahs for the presence of helicobacteriosis and gastritis, as well as advising on the treatment of unusual diseases and conditions in cheetahs and wild dogs. Dr Emily Lane, a specialist pathologist, has over many years kept records of all conducted post mortem examinations. This information is invaluable today for disease prevention