The Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre for Endangered Species is situated in the Northern Province of South Africa, an area renowned for its conservancies. The Centre has established itself as one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for endangered species in the country. Governed by a progressive and modern management approach, it concerns itself with the breeding and maintenance of several endangered indigenous wildlife species. The Centre particularly places special emphasis on the breeding and maintenance of cheetah in captivity. The excellent condition of these animals and the premises on which they are maintained reflect the attention to detail which is the hallmark of this facility and its management.

The Hoedspruit Centre is a personal project of the owner, Mrs Lente Roode, and is run under the full-time supervision of the manager Dr Peter Rogers. Dr Rogers, a veterinarian well-known for his wildlife expertise, is assisted by trained veterinary and wildlife technologists. In addition, the Centre has a special Research Committee comprising specialists in the fields of microbiology, nutrition, theriogenology, medicine and pathology. This Committee is responsible for monitoring veterinary matters.

The cheetah at the Centre are serologically free of feline immunodeficiency virus infection (FIV), corona virus (feline infectious peritonitis [FIP]) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV). All cheetah are vaccinated annually against feline panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis virus and calici virus. New arrivals are quarantined for at least six weeks and only admitted after being certified free of specified diseases. The cheetah are also maintained free of external and internal parasites. The nutritional status and dietary supplements of the animals are monitored carefully to ensure an optimal and balanced nutritional state. By advising clients on the feeding of cheetah, the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre endeavours to ensure that the high standard of the nutritional state of the animals is maintained.

The animals bred at the Centre are from genetically diverse backgrounds due to special attention to breeding management. Apart from the ordinary cheetah, the Centre occasionally offers the very rare king cheetah and king cheetah gene carriers for the local and international export markets. Individual health certificates stating inter alia the current disease status of the animals at the Hoedspruit Centre, accompany all animals that are sold. Stud-book information, breeding details and information on the genetic background of the animal are supplied.

Animals for sale:
The following animals can be obtained from the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre for Endangered Species:

• King cheetah
• King cheetah gene carriers
• Normal cheetah
• Wild dogs

The Barbary lion

The Hoedspruit Centre is currently home to three lions that are believed to be Barbary or Cape lions. The animals were confiscated by the Mozambique government after a circus owner was found guilty of neglecting the animals. The original Cape lion did not survive long into the second half of the 19th century and was the first of the African lion subspecies to become extinct. It is believed that most of the lions found in Southern Africa were a subspecies known as the black-maned lion of the Cape, or the Cape lion. The physical appearance of this lion differed from that of the lions occurring in southern and east Africa today. Researchers have not been able to ascertain whether the extinct Cape lion and Barbary lion are indeed different subspecies.

Contact has been made with the Cat Specialist Group and specifically with Peter Jackson of the IUCN in Gland, Switzerland. According to Mr Jackson there is a worldwide interest in the lion (Panthera leo) and its subspecies. Scientific research is being done regarding extant and extinct lion species.
The Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre for Endangered Species hopes to find answers that may lead to a breeding programme for this magnificent lion, and ultimately the release of this lion back into the wild.

Persons involved with safari parks, zoos and circuses who might be able to assist the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre for Endangered Species with information are kindly requested to contact the Centre.

Tourist attraction
The Centre is a unique South African tourist attraction. Guided tours are conducted hourly, starting with a video presentation in the auditorium. More than 80 cheetah, including tame individuals, cubs and the extremely beautiful king cheetah can be viewed.

The tour brings you in close contact with three of the Big Five as well as species such as the wild dog, serval, caracal, black-footed cat, aardwolf, ground hornbill, blue crane, African wild cat, and vultures at the vulture restaurant. The residing Barbary lion, young rhinos and buffaloes can also be viewed. The duration of the tour is 90 minutes, ending at reception where guests can browse through the curio shop and visit the information centre.

The Hoedspruit Centre can be visited from Monday to Saturday (8:00 - 16:00) as well as on Sundays and during school holidays. Booking in advance is not required but recommended for groups numbering ten persons or more.

See our newsletter Cheetah Chat for more information.

Contact the Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre for Endangered Species at:
294 Canopus Street, Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria 0181, South Africa
Tel: (Int.): (+27-12) 469997
Tel: (Local): (012) 469997
Fax: (Int.): (+27-12) 467377
Fax: (Local): (012) 467377