Ashia Cheetah Conservation: Rewilding Cheetahs and Strengthening South Africa's Cheetah Metapopulation

Founded in 2016 by Chantal Rischard and Stephen Illenberger, Ashia Cheetah Conservation works to secure a future for wild cheetah population. Based near Paarl in South Africa's Western Cape, the organisation works across several areas of cheetah conservation, including the rescue and wilding of cheetahs, substantial scientific research, population management, wildlife volunteering, and the care of unreleasable resident cheetahs and leopards, and animals in need or rehabilitation or temporary holding.

Why Cheetah Conservation Matters

The cheetah is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated global population of approximately 6,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Across Africa and Asia, cheetah populations continue to face significant pressures, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, declining genetic diversity, competition with larger predators, poaching, snaring, and high cub mortality rates.

Perhaps most concerning is the species' shrinking distribution. Cheetahs now occupy less than 9% of their historical range, and the majority of the remaining population lives outside formally protected areas, where conservation challenges are often greatest.

Ashia's Mission: Conservation Through Rescue, Wilding & Research

Ashia's approach combines several complementary conservation objectives:

• Wilding captive-born and orphaned wild-born cheetah cubs

• Supporting South Africa's cheetah metapopulation

• Rescuing and rehabilitating injured animals

• Funding and coordinating scientific research

• Caring for unreleasable cheetahs, leopards, or animals in need of temporary holding

• Increasing public understanding of cheetah conservation

Supporting South Africa's Cheetah Metapopulation

In South Africa, many reserves are fenced, creating isolated wildlife populations that cannot exchange animals naturally. Without intervention, this isolation can lead to declining genetic diversity and increased inbreeding risk. To address this challenge, conservation organisations coordinate the movement of cheetahs between reserves to simulate natural gene flow and maintain healthy populations.

Ashia contributes to the management of South Africa's cheetah metapopulation through the rescue, preparation, and release of suitable cheetahs into participating reserves. These releases support the work of the Endangered Wildlife Trust's (EWT) Cheetah Metapopulation Project, which coordinates the movement of cheetahs between reserves to maintain genetic diversity and reduce the risk of inbreeding. Research supported by Ashia has demonstrated that carefully managed introductions of genetically suitable captive-born cheetahs can make a positive contribution to the genetic health of the wider population.

Conservation Results

By 2026, Ashia's programme had achieved significant conservation outcomes:

• 63 cheetahs had been wilded or were progressing through the wilding process.

• 97 first-generation cubs had been born from released cheetahs and wild-born orphaned cubs.

• 39 second-generation cubs had subsequently been born.

• 142 cheetah translocations had been completed across Southern Africa.

• 57% of released individuals female cheetahs have successfully reproduced.

• 49% of first-generation offspring reached independence.

• 38% of second-generation offspring reached independence

These figures demonstrate success beyond simple survival. The ultimate goal is to establish self-sustaining populations capable of reproducing and contributing to the long-term genetic health of the species.

Scientific Research Supporting Conservation

Alongside its practical conservation work, Ashia funds and coordinates research projects designed to improve understanding of wild cheetah populations.

One of the largest recent projects was the Free-Roaming Cheetah Census, conducted between 2022 and 2025 across South Africa's northern border regions.

The study analysed 5.2 million camera-trap images, 299 landowner interviews, and 164 scat samples, producing one of the most detailed assessments of South Africa's free-roaming cheetah population to date.

The results revealed several important findings:

• Only 83 adult free-roaming cheetahs were identified within the study area, substantially lower than previous estimates.

• 20% of known adults died during the study period, most from human-related causes including shooting, snaring, and vehicle collisions.

• DNA analysis found no evidence of livestock remains in sampled cheetah scat. More than half of identified prey items were small wild species, challenging assumptions about livestock predation.

• Habitat fragmentation is increasingly restricting movement between populations.

• Genetic analyses suggest that gene flow still exists between populations, but that this connectivity may be declining.

These findings provide valuable information for future conservation planning and highlight the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity and reducing human-related mortality.

Ashia has also supported research on the Critically Endangered Northwest African cheetah, helping to improve understanding this cheetah populations. Applicable research projects provide the scientific evidence needed to guide future conservation decisions.

Volunteering at Ashia Cheetah Conservation

Volunteers play an important role within Ashia's daily operations whilst gaining first-hand insight into cheetah conservation.

Participants assist with animal husbandry, enclosure maintenance, food preparation, enrichment activities, behavioural observations, and a range of conservation-related tasks. They also attend educational presentations covering cheetah ecology, animal welfare, wilding, and conservation management.

A defining characteristic of the programme is its strict no-touch philosophy. Volunteers do not handle cheetahs, walk animals, or participate in interactions designed for entertainment. Every aspect of the programme prioritises animal welfare and conservation objectives.

For those seeking meaningful wildlife conservation volunteering in South Africa, the programme offers a rare opportunity to experience both the practical realities of animal care and the wider conservation strategies shaping the future of the species.

An Ethical Volunteering Experience with a Conservation Purpose

Volunteering at Ashia offers more than an opportunity to work alongside cheetahs. It provides a chance to understand the realities of modern wildlife conservation and to contribute, in a small but meaningful way, to programmes that support the long-term survival of the species.

From caring for permanent resident cheetahs and leopards to assisting with the daily management of orphaned cheetah cubs preparing for the next stage of their journey, volunteers gain first-hand insight into the many components of cheetah conservation.

The programme's strict no-touch philosophy ensures that animal welfare remains the priority at all times. There are no cub-petting activities, no walking with predators, and no interactions designed purely for entertainment. Instead, volunteers become part of a team focused on animal care, conservation, research, and education.

For those seeking an ethical wildlife volunteering experience in South Africa, Ashia offers an opportunity to learn, contribute, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and successes involved in securing a future for one of Africa's most iconic predators.