For the first time in almost two centuries, cheetahs are once again roaming the Babanango wilderness in KwaZulu Natal.

“The cheetah release means a lot for the establishment of [the] Babanango Game Reserve. As we know that cheetahs are scarce in the world, releasing new individuals and expanding cheetah conservation areas means more of this species on the continent,” said Musa Mbatha, Babanango’s Reserve Manager.

The return of cheetahs was part of the newly established reserve’s rewilding process, Mbatha added.

“We are making history in returning these majestic cats. The dream of rewilding Babanango is slowly getting fulfilled every day.”

The two males were released into the 19 000-hectare property earlier this month in a conservation milestone for the species and the reserve.

It was the first time in about 200 years that this iconic predator would have roamed the spectacular landscape of Babanango, an area steeped in historic significance and nestled in the heart of KwaZulu Natal, Mbatha said.

The young males, brothers from the Roam Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape, arrived in May. They were held in the Babanango boma for a few weeks for the pre-release phase and monitoring.

Their release into the game reserve went smoothly under the guidance of veterinarian Ryan van der Venterand Mbatha.

Two days after their release, they successfully hunted an adult hartebeest.

Babanango’s Chief Operations Officer, Andrew Baxter, said they hoped to house even more wildlife in the future.