In May 2025, our Zoological Director was in South Africa visiting UmPhafa, Colchester Zoological Society’s supported Nature Reserve.
Whilst there, she visited various areas of the reserve which have been developed since her last bi-annual visit, took part in a game count; a monthly activity to count the species throughout the reserve, and assisted with cheetah tracking to locate the new female cheetah released in February. Following her visit, two male cheetah have since arrived on the reserve, currently held in a boma (a large habitat) whilst they hopefully bond and form a coalition.
Game counts have shown that many species continue to flourish, such as zebra, wildebeest, eland and giraffe, with some individuals scheduled for capture and relocation to new reserves in June. Whereas other species have lower numbers, so are scheduled for planned release onto the reserve in 2025, such as blesbok, as the leopard population reduces their numbers through predation. Leopards are very abundant on the reserve with four leopards seen on this week’s visit alone!
This sort of work is vital to help us maintain a balanced ecosystem on the reserve, improve vegetation condition, and plan for future animal populations.
