South Africa relocates six cheetahs to Zambia to restore species

South Africa has relocated six cheetahs to Zambia's greater Luangwa ecosystem, where the species has been absent for nearly three decades, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) said on Wednesday.

The organization said in a statement that the translocation marks the first phase of a long-term reintroduction program led by Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife in partnership with regional and international conservation organizations.

According to the statement, the six cheetahs were carefully selected from South Africa's managed cheetah metapopulation, with consideration given to their genetic diversity and demographics. 

They underwent quarantine before being flown to a remote section of North Luangwa National Park in Zambia.

Upon arrival, the animals will be released into a 2,000-hectare predator-proof sanctuary, where they will acclimatize, establish territories and adapt to their new surroundings before being released into the greater Luangwa ecosystem. Another six cheetahs are expected to be translocated later this year, the EWT said.

Each cheetah has been fitted with a satellite-tracking collar and will be closely monitored by trained conservation teams to assess its health, movements and adaptation, the organization added.

In a statement, Zambia's Ministry of Tourism welcomed the arrival of the cheetahs, saying it marks a major milestone in the country's wildlife conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), cheetahs are classified as vulnerable on its Red List of Threatened Species, with an estimated global population of around 6,500 mature individuals.

The IUCN said the species has declined by about 37 percent over the past 15 years due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade and declining prey populations.