The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre - De Wildt, South Africa*

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Dear All


After contemplating it for a while, our family decided to pay a visit to the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre this afternoon. And we were not disappointed. In fact, it was an experience of a lifetime. Our guide, Monique, and assistant Joseph made sure that we had an awesome, educational time.


http://www.dewildt.co.za/


This Centre (less than an hour from JHB or PTA) was established in 1971 by Ms van Dyk (±81 and apparently still very active!) on her late parents chicken farm, celebrating its 40th birthday. It started out initially as a cheetah breeding project and the Centre has during the past 40 years bred over 800 cheetah cubs. Various conservation projects have been initiated since its inception which also inlcudes a successful African wild dog breeding programme. Apparently there are currently 75 cheetahs and 58 wild dogs on this sanctuary.


There is also a satellite sanctuary in the Waterberg mountains - http://www.dewildt.co.za/index.php?opti ... &Itemid=65 - and seemingly a wonderful weekend getaway.

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The touch experience was something the LO has been dreaming about for years...



Byron got onto the table and we had the opportunity of a lifetime to actually come into close contact with a cheetah.





Next up was the white albino HB, Blizzard. He assisted with the development of a HB-proof bee hive for bee farmers.





Look at the claws!





Look at the length of the tongue!


One of his two female neighbours...

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Images from the AWC camp...










Image from the Caracal camp...







Mealtime!







Also a sanctuary for vultures with amputations and broken wings, etc...


From Lappet Faced Vultures to Egyptian Vultures to Cape Vultures...

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Our first ever BHs in real life...

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Dear Amoli, thanks for poppin' in. :lol: :lol: It was an enriching and rewarding experience and IMHO worth every cent. And yes, the LO is still on Cloud 9.


Of course it is not ideal to keep animals in camps. But it is a breeding centre for many species on the brink of extinction. Or animals that were brought to them for treatment. Animals that were born in captivity and knows no better. To prevent extinction. Of course, due to mankind. And yes, the Oom was the cameraman with the new camera. Me thinks he still needs a bit of practise, but he is slowly getting there.


Pics taken by the LO with her camera to follow shortly.


Thanks for your stamp of approval, Oom. :P


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And then it was time for the wild dogs... first camp... and again, mealtime. Yum!











Food flying all over....

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These lady birds were a bit annoyed as the meal truck did not serve them first, but only upon return...







Sulking big time. Seems she took lessons from The Cow, alias Mrs Bees, to perfect that pelican face. Mwahoahoahhaaaaaa.







These are no Jimmy Choos...

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In the wild dog camp we were welcomed by a lot of wild dog noises... Five sisters as part of a Sasol project. They circled the truck as if we were their prey. As soon as food was delivered, they dug in as fast as possible.

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These female siblings were much whiter than the previous group of wild dogs, which consisted of an Alpha female, Alpha male and the under dog. Pun not intended. :? :( They prevented them from eating, and left a few morsels for the poor fellow. :( :?


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And then we were in the three brother cheetah open camp.


Brace yourselves. The Oom went all out here...

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Yeah, I told you to brace yourselves... :lol: :lol: :lol:

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My little cub first.... else Lis might confuse her with the real cubs. -O -O -O