DREAMS CAN COME TRUE !
THESE MAGNIFICENT CREATURES ARE NOW PART OF THE THULA THULA FAMILY.
Today we celebrate the arrival of a female cheetah and a coalition of two males. After having GPS collars fitted, they are now stationed in the boma—an enclosed, secure area—to acclimate to their new environment before their release into the reserve.
Cheetahs are on the list of highly endangered species, with only 6,500 left in the world.
WATCH THE VIDEO WITH THEIR ARRIVAL AND THE FITTING OF THEIR GPS TRACKING COLLAR.
Wishing a long and happy life to our new wild residents and many offsprings ! A BIG THANK YOU to all involved in this amazing project. Thank you to the CHEETAH METAPOPULATION PROJECT INITIATIVE, and to the Conservation and Volunteers team at Thula Thula.
Francoise Malby Anthony
How Many Cheetahs Are Left in the World?
About 6,500 mature individuals remain in the wild, according to the most recent IUCN assessment in 2021, and they continue to decline. Southern and Eastern Africa are the strongholds of the current cheetah population. The smaller the population, the more chances of inbreeding and prone to extinction.
Human activity has reduced wild cheetah populations. The metapopulation approach is reversing this decline.
This initiative created a managed cheetah metapopulation, now numbering approximately 537, representing the only growing wild cheetah population globally. The Cheetah Metapopulation Project, an initiative addressing the significant decline in global cheetah populations and geographic range over the last century. It emphasizes the project's success in expanding the cheetah metapopulation and by coordinating translocations and reintroductions, thereby creating safe habitat and addressing challenges like inbreeding, overpopulation, and local extinction through strategic habitat management and reintroduction efforts.
For more information : https://www.metapopulation.org/
THE GIRLS HAVE ARRIVED !
Today we welcomed four hippo females, all the way from Limpopo. Two mothers and two baby girls, joining our resident hippo family of seven.
They are the third largest land animal, after the elephant and rhino.
With only 7000 left in the wilds in South Africa, the Hippo population is in serious decline and they are now on the Endangered and Vulnerable list, facing a high risk of extinction. Trophy hunting, poaching for their skin, meat and ivory teeth, and loss of habitat, are driving this unique and ancient species to the brink of extinction.
Coco,Chanel, Charlotte and Valentine were dropped in the south of the reserve, at Mine Dam. Our young males Chomp and Chocolat, having been kicked out by their father Romeo from Mkhulu Dam, should hopefully join them soon to welcome them in their new happy forever home…
https://www.thulathula.com/conservation
WINNER OF FRENCH LITERARY AWARD
PRIX LITTERAIRE 30 MILLIONS D’AMIS 2024
Very proud and a great honour that my book LA SAGESSE DES ELEPHANTS, the French version of THE ELEPHANTS OF THULA THULA, is the winner of the literary prize of the prestigious French animal welfare organisation 30 MILLIONS D’AMIS. Each year, a novel and an essay of literary quality are selected amongst other books, all celebrating animals.
ANOTHER NEW RESIDENT AT OUR WILDLIFE REHAB CENTER
A new resident has arrived, rescued by Freeme Wildlife Rehab centre in Howick, a young 6 months old female black backed jackal. She will be released into the wild in a few months to join our other black backed jackals, also rescued by Freeme Wildlife rehab centre and who have been released successfully a few months ago.
The two bushbabies have been successfully released into the reserve, and are now wild and free roaming.
With thanks for our wonderful team of volunteers for their help in building up the enclosures.
The Thula Thula Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is based at the Thula Thula Volunteers Academy.
https:// thulathula.com/conservation
INTERNATIONAL GUESTS
TO ALL OUR INTERNATIONAL GUESTS, IT IS NOW THE PERFECT TIME TO TRAVEL TO SOUTH AFRICA !
Take advantage of the very favourable exchange rate !
Come and experience the best at a very affordable price.
Visit our rates and packages page to find out more about our SPECIAL PACKAGES
For information, please email info@thulathula.com
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SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENTS
WE OFFER EXCEPTIONAL SPECIALS FOR OUR SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENTS
(SA resident ID requested for booking at these special rates) – Visit Page
THE ELEPHANT SAFARI LODGE
THE ELEPHANT SAFARI LODGE for a unique gourmet experience in elegant surroundings. To find out more please have a look at our Elephant Safari Lodge web page
THE TENTED CAMP
COME AND DISCOVER OUR REVAMPED TENTED CAMP !
THE LUXURY TENTED CAMP to reconnect with nature in style for an authentic bush experience. Children welcome. To find out more please look at our Tented Camp web page
DAY VISITORS
DAY VISITORS WELCOME
For game drive and lunch
Champagne picnic lunch
Children welcome. Malaria free.
For mor details visit our Day Visitors web page
or email us at info@thulathula.com
or call 087 9455352 or 082 2599732 or 073 2668577
Hope you enjoyed our newsletter!
Wishing you a beautiful day !
From the Thula Thula Wild Team
