Tracking cheetah ain’t easy

Wildlife viewing got a whole lot more exciting when Mountain Zebra National Park acquired, first, four cheetah, then three lion, for its natural precincts. Thing is, this beautiful reserve is a massive sprawling territory — some 28 500 hectares — so even though the cat populations have increased, it takes some cunning sleuthing to come face to face with one. Which of course is the point. It’s not meant to be easy! Cue the park’s cheetah tracking excursions, using telemetry aerials. It’s quite an adventure, as you’re driven across some rough bumpy terrain into zones of the park normally not accessible to visitors. If the blip-blip-blip of the aerial locates a warm-blooded furry feline you might strike out across the grasslands, ranger and rifle leading the threading column of followers. It can be a long morning, but the air vibrates with the thrill of the chase, the tension of possibilities. Senses are heightened, anticipation is palpable. So did we find our cheetah? Read on and find out …

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