Cheetah cubs ‘add value’
Trio a big drawcard for tourists at heritage site
THREE new cheetah cubs are roaming in the Mapungubwe National Park.
The park recently witnessed their birth – a success story they say is not only for Mapungubwe, but for the country since the cheetah is classified as one of the threatened mammals.
“The park is home to a sizeable cheetah population, but their numbers have decreased by uncontrolled illegal hunting for their skin, even though they are seldom seen because of the thick mopani bushveld in parts of the park.
“But since late last year the animals have been spotted by rangers and tourists to the park. Their viewing makes it a great value-add to the tourist experience,” said park manager Conrad Strauss.
Referred to as “mom and the trio”, the cheetahs can be spotted in the western side of the park and once found in the open, tourists can enjoy the sighting for a lengthy time.
Cubs depend on their mom for survival, so this “mom and the trio” are expected to be seen together for quite some time. To spot this coalition and many other animals visit the Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage site situated just 70km west of Musina in Limpopo.
Over and above the sightings, a visit to the majestic Mapungubwe hill where the first African kingdom existed, as well as the world-class interpretation centre is always a marvel.