Securing a future for the forgotten wild cat species
The Wild Cat Conservation Centre is an oasis for conservation efforts focused on wild cats from around the globe. Notably, they proudly run the only conservation breeding program for Clouded Leopards and Cheetahs in Sydney.
Butter has a long stranding relationship with the centre and has worked with Ben and the team to produce countless stories over the years, including our most recent trip to Africa to release the first ever Australian Cheetah into the wilds of South Africa.
Additional photography by Wiki West
Edie the Cheetah returns to the wild in Africa
The Wild Cat Conservation Centre in Sydney is the first organisation in Australia to return a captive born cheetah back to the wilds of Africa. And Butter was on-ground to capture the story, from the moment she was born to her first steps in the wild on African soil.
Reintroduction to the wild is a significant milestone, and one that has been dreamt of since the inception of the Wild Cat Conservation Centre 8 years ago. The design of the centre in Wilberforce, was always with the intention of rewilding cats. The inclusion of the savanna which is the largest cheetah habitat in Australia, limited public visitation, mother raised cubs, has all been with the sole intention of participation in an international rewilding program.
The rewilding of Edie would not have been possible without the support and partnership of WeWild Africa, The Metapopulation Initiative and Mziki Private Game Reserve.