Biologists in Mozambique released a group of wild cheetahs in a 'massive' protected area in the Zambeze Delta in August as part of a reintroduction project they believe is 'crucial' to conserve the species.
ABC News' Phil Lipof speaks with National Geographic editor Rachel Bale on her investigation into one of the world's largest smuggling routes for cheetahs.Thousands of feet in the air, Willem Briers-Louw, a wildlife biologist, surveys the Zambeze Delta in Mozambique via helicopter -- seeking the animal populations he helps to conserve and maintain in the bushland.
From the two-seat Robinson R22 helicopter, Briers-Louw can track the animals wherever they go and monitor their behavior -- what they're eating, whether they're mating, when a litter of cubs is born. It's one of the perks of the job, Briers-Louw said. Biologists found historical evidence that cheetahs occupied the area in the past after finding a book from 1914 described the animals, which was imperative for the reintroduction to be successful, Briers-Louw said.Eleven cheetahs from South Africa and one from Malawi were transported to Mozambique over the summer. The big cats were stationed in a fenced area for months to get acclimated before the gates were opened to their new home, Briers-Louw said.
"It's totally open, and they're not constricted or not confined to a fenced area, so they can move pretty much wherever they want to," Briers-Louw said."And so we've seen quite a lot of exploratory movement within the first four or five months."The cheetahs' newfound ability to wander causes"a bit of stress" for the researchers and presents a possibility for the need to collect them and bring them back, Kendon said.
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