The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre welcomes Phinda the Cheetah

This beautiful boy, originally from andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve – part of the Munyawana Conservancy, was an orphan cub that survived the loss of his mother at 6 months of age around 2017. In September 2018 he was found severely lame with serious bite wounds and a severed triceps tendon.

He underwent field surgery and his triceps tendon was reattached to the olecranon and after 3 months of bandaging and splinting he recovered sufficiently to have the hardware removed and to be able to run and hunt with his brother, however the skin over the olecranon did not heal completely and after another surgery he was left to continue his free roaming. 

He and his brother hunted successfully with an occasional slight limp from time to time and in June 2022 he was seen with a sudden severe limp on the same leg that had been injured as a cub, the elbow was exposed through the skin lesion. 

He was immobilized and moved with his brother to the Boma where the elbow was assessed and radiographs were taken. The radiographs showed an older dehiscence of the triceps attachment to the olecranon with bone chips and the loss of the end of the olecranon. The elbow was deemed to be unsalvageable for a wild free roaming cheetah.

Early September Reserve Manager Simon Naylor contacted The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre – De Wildt to enquiry about a new home for this Cheetah. De Wildt has always been known as a sanctuary for Cheetah in need and therefore there was only one answer, yes, we would gladly assist!

After the necessary permits and permission’s were obtained, Phinda (named after his place of origin) was transported to Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic for a health check after which he will embark on his final journey to the Centre.

Once at The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, he will form part of our breeding program and we hope that Phinda will sire some cubs, ensuring his genetics will not be lost and that his bloodline can continue to contribute to the survival of the Cheetah.

Welcome Phinda, we do hope that you will feel safe and cared for at your new home.