15 September 2015
Sibella the cheetah died early in the morning in the Samara Private Game
Reserve near Graaff-Reinet after a clash with a duiker buck it was hunting. The
cheetah suffered a deep wound to its abdomen.
Born wild in North West province, Sibella was rehomed in Samara in 2003. It
had been captured and tortured by hunters at the age of two. Sibella died on Friday,
11 September.
"Lying at death's door, she was fortunate enough to be rescued by the De Wildt
Cheetah and Wildlife Trust. She owes her life to the five-hour surgery and dedicated
rehabilitation that ensued," said Margie Varney, Samara general manager, said at
the time of the relocation.
Sibella began a new chapter in December 2003, when it was released on to the
Samara game reserve. The release surpassed all expectations.
Samara Private Game Reserve lies 20km southeast of Graaff-Rienet in Eastern
Cape. It encompasses not only the Karoo mountain complex and parts
of the Great
Escarpment, but also sweeping plains to create a unique area for wildlife, including
four of South Africa's seven natural biomes. It is home to a variety of buck, birdlife
and smaller carnivores, including the African wild cat and brown hyena, but is most
famous for its Cheetah Metapopulation Programme, managed by the Endangered
Wildlife Trust, of which Sibella was the most fruitful participant.
Sibella reared an astonishing 20 cubs in four litters at Samara, alone
contributing to a 3% increase in the wild cheetah population in South Africa.
According to Varney, Sibella was a consummate mother, giving birth on steep
mountain slopes to evade other predators, and always making sure the cubs had
enough to eat and were well-protected before going out on their own.
Sibella had shared an extraordinary bond with humans. "With the birth of each
new litter, when the cubs were old enough to leave their den, this wild cat dutifully
presented to her human guardians her latest bundles of fur. The degree of trust she
vested in human beings, walking to within just a few metres of them, was simply
astounding – her past suffering at the hands of her tormentors all but forgotten,"
Varney said.
On the official Samara blog, a simple message from Varney and the rest of the
reserve team offered some final words on the loss of Sibella: "We mourn her loss
but seek comfort in knowing that she lived and died in a wild environment. We feel
incredibly privileged to have been witness to the life of this exceptional
cat."
On social media, wildlife photographers, conservationists and ordinary people
from around the world posted heartfelt messages and photos of Sibella, queen of
the Karoo cheetahs.
Sibella, the pride and joy of Samara Game Reserve in Eastern Cape, a day before the cheetah died of complications following a hunting accident on 11 September 2015. (Image: Samara Game Reserve)
Sibella, the pride and joy of Samara Game Reserve in Eastern Cape, a day before the cheetah died of complications following a hunting accident on 11 September 2015. (Image: Samara Game Reserve)