IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Power, R.J.; Page-Nicholson, S.; van der Merwe, V.; Botha, M.-V.; Dell, S.; Nel, H.P. | |
| Successful establishment of a "hard released" cheetah on a South African reserve | |
| 2018 Cat News (68): 26-29 | |
A female cheetah _Acinonyx jubatus_ captured on ranchland in 2014 was 'hard re-leased' after ~3 months of ex situ boma-confinement, into Pilanesberg National Park PNP which simultaneously was colonised by two males. The female was monitored via satellite telemetry for a period of ~10 months, and interventions took place during this period to ensure maximum survival (i.e. integrated burning, lion _Panthera leo_ management). The female bred successfully within the first year of release, and has since had three successful litters (~58.3 ñ 29% survival rate), with the first two litters, having 75% survival rate, and independence reached after ~16 months. Post-release movements were similar across all months, and there was no indication to home back. Regular monitoring, along with concurrent management interventions has led to successful resurgence of the cheetah population in PNP. Three and a half years after the reintroduction of the female cheetah, the cheetah population had increased to 13 individuals. Given the proximity of the capture site, and period of confinement near the capture site, this release has been a success, and it should be a cost-effective practice for any releases that are contemplated in a similar geographical area (<100 km, or intra-cluster). |
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