The Eastern Cape’s Pumba Private Game Reserve recently welcomed three cheetahs, aged 14 months, to its habituation programme.
Arriving from the Addo Elephant National Park, the cheetahs will be released once they can hunt for themselves, which is normally around 20 to 24 months of age. The programme ensures that, upon release, their hunting proficiency, range usage and interaction with other predators will be monitored closely.
Pumba Private Game Reserve’s conservation department aims to make a difference, not only to the species survival, but to also add a new dynamic to the balance of the ecosystem within the reserve. Another conservation project on Pumba’s radar is its latest initiative to eradicate alien plant species from the landscape and develop entrepreneurship.
Pumba Private Game Reserve is working to improve the state of the catchment area of Lake Cariega, which forms an important catchment area in the Eastern Cape. The reserve has joined forces with Working For Water in a landowner cleaning incentive programme, and has entered the field of entrepreneurship facilitating the establishment of a contracting team of up to 23 staff from the surrounding communities.
Staff members will be provided accredited training in fields such as chainsaw operation, brushcutter operation, herbicide application and first aid. The programme began in February and is expected to continue for the next five years. Pumba Private Game Reserve is an hour from Port Elizabeth.
See www.pumbagamereserve.co.za. - Weekend Argus