Five cheetahs collared in major KZN conservation effort

An eight-day conservation operation in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has successfully fitted tracking collars to five cheetahs, including three individuals being monitored for the first time, strengthening efforts to protect one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most important cheetah populations. The large-scale collaring operation, carried out in late July by Wildlife ACT and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife with support from the Forever Wild Foundation, brings the total number of cheetahs collared in the park to eight since the programme began at the end of 2025. The operation involved multiple ground teams supported by drones, a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter to locate the elusive predators across the park’s dense terrain.

During the eight-day mission, the drone completed 94 flights and logged more than 30 hours in the air. Veterinary teams from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and African Wildlife Vets oversaw the darting and collaring process, with the welfare of the animals remaining the highest priority throughout the operation. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife veterinarian Dr Jennifer Lawrence said collaring cheetahs required careful planning and ideal conditions.

“It’s always a privilege to work with cheetahs. They are challenging to dart and collar as they are very sensitive to the drugs and overheating is a big risk,” Lawrence said. Conditions have to be just right and managing the anaesthetic becomes the priority.

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This makes every collaring success a rewarding step towards ensuring Cheetah are well monitored on the reserve. Not every cheetah encountered was fitted with a collar. Mothers with young cubs and animals in unsuitable conditions were left undisturbed to avoid unnecessary risks.

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