In a press release today, Musa Mntambo, Communications Manager, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife confirmed the decision to suspend commercial exhibition at the KwaCheetah Captive Breeding Facility in Ladysmith.

For a number of reasons this decision comes as a welcome step forward in ensuring that captive breeding for conservation purposes is conducted in an ethical manner, with the interests of the animal foremost in the project. Before I go on to the official press release, we believe, in our opinion, that this decision will change the face of captive breeding for monetary gain, under the guise of conservation.

While I have conducted an enormous amount of research into this project and other similar projects, I am by no means an expert on conservation or the protection and preservation of endangered animals, or in fact any animal at risk. What I can confirm is that having had an active interest and role in conservation on a much smaller, personal scale, my family and I are absolutely delighted that no harm will come to the cheetah, who, due to the very nature of being a wild animal, have natural instinctive characteristics that will manifest at some stage or another.

The enormous amount of international and national media interest that this tragic incident has brought about hope to millions of wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists around the world, and indeed will pave the way for ensuring that the ethical breeding of animals is done under strict conditions, tailored specifically to enable to animal to be released back into the wild, where they belong, where nature intended them to be.

The press release:

"KwaCheetah operates from within Nambithi Game Reserve situated outside Ladysmith. The decision to suspend KwaCheetah follows the recent incidents of cheetahs attacking at least three people within the last two months.

The first incident that Ezemvelo is aware of happened on 28^th June 2015. The last two happened on 5^th and 6^th August 2015 respectively. The Cheetah involved in all these incidents will not be destroyed. The investigation is still on going and the Cheetah has not shown any form of aggression during the investigation.

Ezemvelo instituted an investigation on Wednesday, 12 August 2015 to determine how these attacks happened and if KwaCheetah was conducting its activities according to the Management Plan that they had submitted to Ezemvelo when they applied for a Keep in Captivity permit.

During the investigation, Ezemvelo discovered that KwaCheetah was already conducting certain activities which are still being considered whilst other activities are not in line with their Management Plan. The activities that are not in line with the submitted Management Plan have resulted in the extensive consultation and lengthy review of the proposed Management Plan.

Kwa Cheetah has amenably welcomed the decision and has further ceased all commercial exhibition until Ezemvelo has decided on the status of their Management Plan. Both parties are working together to ensure that Kwa Cheetah conducts its activities within the applicable legislation failing which the permit will not be granted.

?It has to be noted that application for a permit does not automatically imply that a permit will be granted; rather that Ezemvelo will consider all prevailing facts before reaching a decision. Applicants conducting operations without obtaining a permit prior to commencing their activities do so at their own risk. The public has a right to ask if such organizations have necessary permits and are advised not to visit such places should they not be happy with an explanation provided.?The Acting CEO of Ezemvelo, Dr MD Mabunda warned.

For further inquiries please direct them to:

Musa Mntambo

Communications Manager

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

Tel: +27 (0)33 845 1743

Cell: +27 (0)83 284 9586

Email: