An orphaned eight-week-old African cheetah cub snarls inside its enclosure at the Wilson airport in Nairobi, Kenya April 23, 2006. The male cub was rescued by the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) wardens in Mandera district, 1500 km (932 miles) northeast of Nairobi, and is currently being held at the Nairobi animal orphanage. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya 

An orphaned eight-week-old African cheetah cub licks its lips inside its enclosure at the Wilson airport in Nairobi, Kenya April 23, 2006. The male cub was rescued by the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) wardens in Mandera district, 1500 km (932 miles) northeast of Nairobi, and is currently being held at the Nairobi animal orphanage. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya 

A female jaguar looks from its cage at a zoo in San Ana, near San Jose, Costa Rica February 2, 2006. Costa Rican zoologists have begun genetic testing on captive jaguars in an effort to increase their numbers. The plan is to use sperm from the captive jaguars and their offspring to impregnate, through artificial insemination, females in the wild areas of Costa Rica, mostly in national parks and protected areas, said Yolanda Matamoros, a zoologist at San Jose's Simon Bolivar Zoo. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate 

- FILE PHOTO MAR04 - A tourist checks his camera as he photographs a cheetah and her cubs in Kenya's Masai Mara national park in this file picture taken March 2004. A South African mugger fleeing the scene of his crime hides in a [tiger enclosure. On the country's coast, a woman attempts to be a good Samaritan by pushing a young seal into the sea, believing the poor thing is stranded. Both people paid heavily for their stupidity, underscoring one of nature's truisms: humans do dumb things around wild] animals. 

A leopard looks on from its enclosure in the South Khairbari nature park, 165 km (103 miles) from the northeastern Indian city of Siliguri December 18, 2005. Picture taken on December 18, 2005. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri 

Ivory Coast rebels from the Guepard (cheetah) company train early in the morning in Bouake November 25, 2005. Bouake is , the rebel stronghold in the north of the country . A U.N.-backed plan to reunite Ivory Coast has worsened a political deadlock and a clearer strategy is needed to restore peace, Guillaume Soro, the West African country's rebel movement political chief said. REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon. 

Four cheetahs observe the plains in Kenya's Maasai Mara game reserve, 240 km (150 miles) west of capital Nairobi, January 11, 2005. The Maasai Mara is widely considered to be Africa's greatest wildlife reserve, it comprises 200 sq miles of open plains, woodlands and forest. The vast grassland plains are scattered with herds of zebra, giraffe, gazelle, and topi. Elephants and buffalo wallow in the wide Musiara Swamp and the Mara and Talek rivers are brimming with hippos and crocodile. . REUTERS/Radu Sigheti RSS/AS 

A cheetah looks over the plains in Kenya's Maasai Mara game reserve, 240 km (150 miles) west of capital Nairobi, January 11, 2005. The Maasai Mara is widely considered to be Africa's greatest wildlife reserve, it comprises 200 sq miles of open plains, woodlands and forest. The vast grassland plains are scattered with herds of zebra, giraffe, gazelle, and topi. Elephants and buffalo wallow in the wide Musiara Swamp and the Mara and Talek rivers are brimming with hippos and crocodile. . REUTERS/Radu Sigheti RSS/AS 

A Cheetah jet fighter from the South African Air Force prepares to refuel in mid-air with help from a Boeing 707. A Cheetah jet fighter from the South African Air Force prepares to refuel in mid-air with help from a Boeing 707 above Limpopo province north of Johannesburg, September 9, 2004. Cheetahs are designed and made in South Africa and will take part in the Africa Aerospace and defence Exhibition at Waterkloof Air Force base in Centurion in Pretoria from September 21 to 25. Picture taken September 9,2004. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya 

A Cheetah jet fighter from the South African Air Force prepares to refuel in mid-air with help from a Boeing 707. A Cheetah jet fighter from the South African Air Force prepares to refuel in mid-air with help from a Boeing 707 above the Limpopo province north of Johannesburg September 9, 2004. Cheetahs are designed and made in South Africa and will take part in the Africa Aerospace and defence Exhibition at Waterkloof Air Force base in Centurion in Pretoria from September 21 to 25 Picture taken September 9, 2004. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya REUTERS 

A Cheetah jet fighter from the South African Air Force prepares to refuel in mid-air with help from a Boeing 707. A Cheetah jet fighter from the South African Air Force prepares to refuel in mid-air with help from a Boeing 707 above the Limpopo province north of Johannesburg September 9, 2004. Cheetahs are designed and made in South Africa and will take part in the Africa Aerospace and defence Exhibition at Waterkloof Air Force base in Centurion in Pretoria from September 21,to 25. Picture taken September 9,2004. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya 

A two week-old cheetah cub ventures out of its cage at the Nairobi Animal
Orphanage at the Kenya Wildlife Service headquarters September 1, 2003. This
cub, one of three cubs that were found wandering around without their
parents at Kenya's Tsavo East national park, is being cared for at the
centre. REUTERS/Patrick Olum

PO/AS 

Prince Tsotetsi plays with cheetahs at the De Wildt centre in South
Africa on June 19, 2003.The centre has just launched a nationwide
census to find out the number of the endangered big cats living wild in
South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing,
the survey is the first comprehensive study of any country's big cat
population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and
Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the only approved
cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is expected to take
between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya

JN/MA 

A cheetah feeds her young cubs ar at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in
South Africa on June 19,2003.The centre has just launched a nationwide
census to find the number of the endangered big cats living wild in
South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing,
the survey is the first comprehensive study of any country's
population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and
Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the only approved
cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is expected to take
between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya REUTERS

JN/ 

Motsoaledi Mmoso cleans the sign at the De Wildt ambassador Cheetah
plays at the centre in South Africa on June 19,2003.The centre has just
launched a nationwide census to find the number of the endangered big
cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras,
aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study
of any country's population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt
Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the
only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is
expected to take between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda
Ngwenya

JN/ 

Marilyn Dean personal handler for Byron De Wildt ambassador Cheetah
plays at the centre in South Africa on June 19,2003.The centre has just
launched a nationwide census to find the number of the endangered big
cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras,
aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study
of any country's population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt
Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the
only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is
expected to take between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda
Ngwenya

JN/ 

A cheetah stands next to the warning sign at the De Wildt Cheetah
centre in South Africa on June 19,2003.The centre has just launched a
nationwide census to find the number of the endangered big cats living
wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA
testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study of any country's
population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and
Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the only approved
cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is expected to take
between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya

JN/ 

Six weeks old cheetah cubs are seen stands next her mother at the De
Wildt Cheetah centre in South Africa on June 19,2003.The centre has
just launched a nationwide census to find the number of the endangered
big cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras,
aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study
of any country's population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt
Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the
only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is
expected to take between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda
Ngwenya

JN/ 

Six weeks old cheetah cubs are seen stands at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in
South Africa on June 19,2003.The centre has just launched a nationwide
census to find the number of the endangered big cats living wild in South
Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing, the survey
is the first comprehensive study of any country's population, says Ann van
Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The
De Wildt centre is the only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world.
The census is expected to take between five and eight years to complete.
REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya

JN/ 

A cheetah feeds her young cubs ar at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in
South Africa on June 19,2003.The centre has just launched a nationwide
census to find the number of the endangered big cats living wild in
South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing,
the survey is the first comprehensive study of any country's
population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and
Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the only approved
cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is expected to take
between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya

JN/ 

A cheetah licks her young cubs ar at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in
South Africa on June 19,2003.The centre has just launched a nationwide
census to find the number of the endangered big cats living wild in
South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing,
the survey is the first comprehensive study of any country's
population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and
Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the only approved
cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is expected to take
between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya

JN/ 

Janel Kruger nature conservation student plays with young cheetahs at
the centre in South Africa on June 19,2003.The centre has just launched
a nationwide census to find the number of the endangered big cats
living wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and
DNA testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study of any
country's population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt
Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the
only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is
expected to take between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda
Ngwenya

JN/ 

Four two month old cheetah cubs are seen resting in the shade at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in South Africa on June 12, 2003. The centre has just launched a nationwide census to find the number of the endangered big cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study of any country's population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is expected to take between five and eight years to complete. 

A mother cheetah and three of her young cubs rest against a fence June 12, 2003 at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in South Africa, which has just launched a nationwide census to find the number of the endangered big cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study of any country's population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt is the only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is expected to take between five and eight years to complete. 

A mother cheetah yawns beside one of her young cubs at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in South Africa June 12, 2003 which has just launched a nationwide census to find the number of the endangered big cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study of any country's cheetah population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt is the only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is expected to take between five and eight years to complete. 

TO MATCH FEATURE ENVIRONMENT-CHEETAHS - A mother cheetah and three of her
young cubs rest against a fence June 12, 2003 at the De Wildt Cheetah centre
in South Africa, which has just launched a nationwide census to find the
number of the endangered big cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio
collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first
comprehensive study of any country's population, says Ann van Dyk, who
started the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt
is the only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is
expected to take between five and eight years to complete. Picture taken
June 12, 2003.REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya PP03060074

JN/WS 

TO MATCH FEATURE ENVIRONMENT-CHEETAHS - Four two month old cheetah cubs are
seen resting in the shade at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in South Africa on
June 12, 2003. The centre has just launched a nationwide census to find the
number of the endangered big cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio
collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first
comprehensive study of any country's population, says Ann van Dyk, who
started the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt
centre is the only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census
is expected to take between five and eight years to complete.
REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya

JN/GB 

TO MATCH FEATURE ENVIRONMENT-CHEETAHS - A mother cheetah yawns beside one of
her young cubs at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in South Africa June 12, 2003
which has just launched a nationwide census to find the number of the
endangered big cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio collars,
cameras, aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first comprehensive
study of any country's cheetah population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the
De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt is the only
approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is expected to
take between five and eight years to complete.Picture taken June 12, 2003.
REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya

JN/WS 

A mother cheetah and three of her young cubs rest against a fence June 12,
2003 at the De Wildt Cheetah centre in South Africa, which has just launched
a nationwide census to find the number of the endangered big cats living
wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA
testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study of any country's
population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife
Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt is the only approved cheetah breeding
centre in the world. The census is expected to take between five and eight
years to complete. Picture taken June 12, 2003. REUTERS/Juda
Ngwenya

JN/WS 

Four two month old cheetah cubs are seen resting in the shade at the De
Wildt Cheetah centre in South Africa on June 12, 2003. The centre has
just launched a nationwide census to find the number of the endangered
big cats living wild in South Africa. Using radio collars, cameras,
aircraft and DNA testing, the survey is the first comprehensive study
of any country's population, says Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt
Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years ago. The De Wildt centre is the
only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world. The census is
expected to take between five and eight years to complete. REUTERS/Juda
Ngwenya

JN/GB 

A mother cheetah yawns beside one of her young cubs at the De Wildt Cheetah
centre in South Africa June 12, 2003 which has just launched a nationwide
census to find the number of the endangered big cats living wild in South
Africa. Using radio collars, cameras, aircraft and DNA testing, the survey
is the first comprehensive study of any country's cheetah population, says
Ann van Dyk, who started the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust 32 years
ago. The De Wildt is the only approved cheetah breeding centre in the world.
The census is expected to take between five and eight years to
complete.Picture taken June 12, 2003. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya

JN/WS 

A pair of lion cubs are carried into their new home at Baghdad's zoo April
25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian
transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at
Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. REUTERS/Chris Helgren
PP03040068

CLH/MA 

A young lion snarls from its perch in a tree, before being sent to Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. 

Kuwaiti zoo workers lift a lion cub from a U.S. Army truck at Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. 

Watched by U.S. Army soldiers, a young Cheetah awaits transfer to Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003 from an animal compound in Uday Hussein's section of the Republican Palace. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from palace pens. 

A young lion dozes in its perch in a tree, before being sent to Baghdad's
zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African
veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal
compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. RIGHTS
FREE REUTERS/Chris Helgren PP03040068

CLH/MA 

A young lion peers from its pen at Uday Hussein's animal compound before
being sent to Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers
and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and
cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's
Republican Palace. REUTERS/Chris Helgren PP03040068

CLH/MA 

A pair of lion cubs are looked over by an adult lion after being brought to
their new home at Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo
workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions
and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's
Republican Palace. REUTERS/Chris Helgren PP03040068

CLH/MA 

Two United States Army soldiers from Charlie company, 3-15 Infantry watch as
two young cheetahs await their new home at Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A
team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a
number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's
section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. REUTERS/Chris Helgren PP03040038
PP03040068 ODLY CLH/MA 

A United States Army soldier from Charlie company, 3-15 Infantry gives water
to a young cheetah at Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo
workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions
and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's
Republican Palace. REUTERS/Chris Helgren PP03040068

CLH/MA 

Kuwaiti zoo workers accompany a young lion to a U.S. Army truck en route to
Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South
African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs to
Baghdad's zoo from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's
Republican Palace. REUTERS/Chris Helgren PP03040068

CLH/CRB 

A young lion snarls from its perch in a tree, before being sent to
Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South
African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs
from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's
Republican Palace. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

CLH/CRB 

Kuwaiti zoo workers lift a lion cub from a U.S. Army truck at Baghdad's zoo
April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African
veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal
compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace.
REUTERS/Chris Helgren PP03040068

CLH/CRB 

Watched by U.S. Army soldiers, a young Cheetah awaits transfer to Baghdad's
zoo April 25, 2003 from an animal compound in Uday Hussein's section of the
Republican Palace. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African
veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from palace
pens. REUTERS/Chris Helgren PP03040068

CLH/CRB 

A young lion dozes in its perch in a tree, before being sent to Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. 

A young lion peers from its pen at Uday Hussein's animal compound before being sent to Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. 

A pair of lion cubs are carried into their new home at Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. 

A pair of lion cubs are looked over by an adult lion after being brought to their new home at Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. 

Two United States Army soldiers from Charlie company, 3-15 Infantry watch as two young cheetahs await their new home at Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. 

United States Army soldier from Charlie company, 3-15 Infantry gives water to a young cheetah at Baghdad's zoo April 25, 2003. A team of Kuwaiti zoo workers and a South African veterinarian transferred a number of young lions and cheetahs from an animal compound at Uday Hussein's section of Baghdad's Republican Palace. 

Move over[ Donovan Bailey] you have a new challenger; Nyana Spier, a cheetah trashes the Olympic sprinter's record of 9.86 seconds for the 100 metres event, February 24. Nyana completed the distance in a time of 6.8 seconds in a race that was part of an environmental program. Cheetahs, the fastest land mammals, can accelerate from 0-80km/h in a time of 0.3 seconds. 

Move over[ Donovan Bailey] you have a new challenger; Nyana Spier, a cheetah trashes the Olympic sprinter's record of 9.86 seconds for the 100 metres event, February 24. Nyana completed the distance in a time of 6.8 seconds in a race that was part of an environmental program. Cheetahs, the fastest land mammals, can accelerate from 0-80km/h in a time of 0.3 seconds. 

Move over Donovan Bailey you have a new challenger; Nyana Spier, a cheetah trashes the Olympic sprinter's record of 9.86 seconds for the 100 metres event, February 24. Nyana completed the distance in a time of 6.8 seconds in a race that was part of an enviromental program. Cheetahs, the fastest land mammals, can accelerate from 0-80km/h in a time of 0.3 seconds.

MH/ 

Move over Donovan Bailey you have a new challenger; Nyana Spier, a cheetah trashes the Olympic sprinter's record of 9.86 seconds for the 100 metres event, February 24. Nyana completed the distance in a time of 6.8 seconds in a race that was part of an environmental program. Cheetahs, the fastest land mammals, can accelerate from 0-80km/h in a time of 0.3 seconds.

MH/FMS 

Professor Woody Meltzer (L) and Doctor Ian Espie (R) perform an artificial insemination operation on an 8-year-old female king cheetah at the breeding centre in Potgietersus, Northern Province February 5. Interfering in nature has been seen as a particularly human problem, but few would dispute the value of artificially inseminating cheetahs, especially in a bid to breed the rare and valuable king cheetah mutation.

SAFRICA CHEETAHS 

Johannes Muvango 58, rides on a two-year-old white rhino Tholiwe at Glen Afric wildlife game farm near Johannesburg May 20, Muvango, who has been working on the farm for for 30 years, has had close relationships with several wild animals, including cheetahs, lions and elephants. But his dream had always been to hand rear a rhino, which was fulfilled when the farm owners bought Tholiwe, who was rejected by his mother, at a game auction .

SAFRICA RHINO 

Wild Cheetahs wait to be fed at Cheetahs farm in De Wildt, 40 km west of Pretoria, February 22. The breeding centre, created in 1971 by Ann van Dyk and her brother Godfrey, currently rears 80 of these endangered cats for release back into the wild. Fifteen of them include the genetically deviant King Cheetah, of which only 50 remain in the world. The center also rears wild dogs, vultures and different kinds of antelope.

SAFRICA 

Allan Strachan the curator of the Cheetahs farm in De Wildt, 40 km west of Pretoria, gets affection from five-year-old Cheetah Gillian February 22. Gillian is one of the few timed cats on the farm. The breeding centre, created in 1971 by Ann van Dyk and her brother Godfrey, currently rears 80 of these endangered cats for release back into the wild. Fifteen of them include the genetically deviant King Cheetah, of which only 50 remain in the world. The center also rears wild dogs, vultures and different kinds of antelope.

SAFRICA 

Allan Strachan, curator of a cheetah farm at De Wildt, 40 km west of Pretoria, calmly approaches wild cheetahs at feeding time February 22. The breeding centre, created in 1971 by Ann van Dyk and her brother Godfrey, currently rears 80 of these endangered cats for release back into the wild. Fifteen of them include the genetically deviant King Cheetah, of which only 50 remain in the world. The center also rears wild dogs, vultures and different kinds of antelope.

SAFRICA 

Cheetahs, a South African version of the French Mirage F-1, prepare to refuel from a Boeing tanker February 1 at the country's first air base, Swartkop, south west of the capital. The South African Air Force, involved in regional wars during -apartheid- but now given humanitarian tasks, marked its 75th anniversary