- Address: D2440, Otjiwarongo, Namibia
- Tel: +264 67 306 225
- Website: http://cheetah.org
Namibia is a country of contrasts and unbridled African exotics, filled with numerous sunny days, a rich animal and vegetable world. Thanks to the huge selection of excellent places for outdoor activities, it is popular in tourist destinations and deservedly considered one of the best on the continent for "green" tourism. And the most unusual place to visit here is a cheetah farm.
general information
To the north of Windhoek , the capital of Namibia, is a small town of Ochivarongo. At 44 km east of it, in a vast territory lies a cheetah farm in Namibia. Previously, in its place was a common farmyard. But, imbued with compassion and pity for the fate of these animals, the owner handed the yard to the research center of cheetahs.
General information
The farm was founded in 1990 by Dr. Lori Marker, today its fund is the world leader in the field of conservation and research of these beautiful animals. The main purpose of laborious work is to save cheetahs in the wild. The Foundation is an international non-profit organization, with headquarters in Namibia.
Why is it important to keep the cheetah population?
There are approximately 12,000 preserved cheetahs around the world (in Asia they disappeared back in the 1960s). For a general comparison of leopards - 40 thousand, lions - more than 120 thousand. Extinction of these magnificent animals can damage the whole ecosystem, and that's why .
Lions or hyenas are not the most successful hunters, only one of the 10 hunting ends successfully, because they eat more carrion. If they only ate what they themselves caught, they would have died out long ago. But cheetahs are magnificent earners, their hunting is successful in 9 out of 10 cases. But, tired of the chase, they can not always fight for the victim. In addition, because of the structure of the teeth, they eat only internal organs, and do not touch the carcass itself. That's how cheetahs "feed" many other representatives of the fauna. Their disappearance will lead to the extinction of other species of animals.
Life of cheetahs on the farm
The farm of cheetahs does not cultivate them, they hardly breed in captivity. There are animals, whose life would be cut off at large. These are cheetahs, who were hit by a car or injured by farmers, as well as toddlers who were left without a mother. The young generation can only be taught to hunt by a female cheetah, a person can not do it, so such animals remain on the farm. And, of course, they are not planted in cages, but move freely in the huge territory allocated to them.
There are several interesting nuances from the life of cheetahs on the farm:
- To ensure sufficient physical activity, the animals are given regular jogging - cheetahs running ("cheetah running"). Anyone wishing to pay 400 NAD ($ 30.81) can safely join the action. It happens daily, early in the morning. On the territory with running animals allowed from 4 to 6 people.
- Any moving object makes the cheetahs instinctively pursue it. Of course, it is more interesting to run for antelopes, but a usual rag is used on the cheetah farm. Cloth tied to a long rope, passing through the rings, dug into the ground, and after launching a special apparatus, pulling it with great speed.
- After running, cheetahs rest on the lawn. If the animals are in a good mood, then the guests of the farm are allowed to pat them.
- When the cheetah is calm, he starts to growl loudly. These are the only big cats who can purr, just like pets.
Interesting Facts
When you are going to visit a cheetah farm, you should ask about the peculiarities of these animals:
- cheetah - the fastest predator on earth thanks to a slim body and long legs;
- the speed when running ranges from 100 to 120 km / h .;
- earlier in the East cheetahs replaced hunting dogs;
- cheetahs can do without food for 5-6 days, and they never eat carrion;
- it's good to climb trees, they are blocked by stupid claws;
- at night these animals do not see well;
- they pursue the victim, and do not hunt from ambush;
- the peculiarity of the respiratory system allows the cheetahs to breathe normally, while keeping their victim for a long time in the jaws;
- communication among themselves cheetahs is like purring or even tweeting;
- at the will of cheetahs live 10-12 years, in captivity - up to 17 years.
How to get there?
The cheetah farm in Namibia is located 44 km from Ochivarongo. You can get there only by car on a dirt road D2440. Along it there will be an index "Fund for the preservation of cheetahs".