Cheetah are roaming a secure area of North Luangwa National Park for the first time in three decades after six individuals were successfully translocated from South Africa. A joint operation between the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Zambian Department of Wildlife and National Parks has seen the cats moved to a 2 000-hectare predator-proof part of North Luangwa where they can be carefully monitored. If all goes well, this initial group will then be released to the park at large.

Every animal has been fitted with a satellite-tracking collar and will be constantly checked by qualified conservation teams to ensure their ongoing health and to record their movements and overall adaptation to their new environment.

The group was carefully selected from South Africa’s managed cheetah metapopulation based on genetic diversity and demographics. Another translocation of a further six individuals is on the cards for later in the year to establish a healthy base population in North Luangwa.

It is estimated that there are only around 6 500 cheetah left on the planet so all conservation efforts are vital.

PHOTO Cheetah near Konkamoya Lodge in Kafue National Park