My study abroad took place in South Africa, near Magaliesburg. I went to “Running Wild Cheetah Conservation” to learn about the rewilding of captive born cheetahs, from the only facility in the world that has been successful.

Walking onto the property the first day was almost spiritual for me, seeing a cheetah in person was such a transformative experience for someone who has devoted their entire life to helping animals and wildlife. This experience became even more special to me when I learned I would be able to attend a “cub walk” with two of the 11-month-old cheetah cubs.

Going on a cub walk is not for the enjoyment of the humans, but instead for the enrichment of the young cheetahs who are learning how to hunt and survive in the wilderness of Africa (referred to as the bush). The cubs are able to go outside, be introduced to a number of smells from wildebeest scents to giraffes, scorpions, acacia trees, and more, as well as figure out how to approach animals in a stealthy manner in order to catch their food. This walk was solely for the cubs benefit; however, it was the best experience I have ever had.

The air in the mountains of South Africa is beautiful, kept pure by the many shrubs and acacia trees surrounding the land, and you are able to see open blue skies for miles-not a single skyscraper or factory in sight. The farther I walked into the beautiful landscape of South Africa, the more I did not want to leave to return home. In fact, while surrounded by wild animals, unlike I have ever seen at home, the facility at Running Wild started to feel like a second home to me.

The cub walk was my first introduction to a bush walk while at Running Wild and it did not disappoint. I was able to walk towards the front of the group, giving the cheetah cubs a sense of which direction to go. Amazingly, they followed right behind us, slinking up the hill, and taking moments to sniff the remnants of prey animals who had been in this spot hours ago.

While watching the cheetahs interact with their natural surroundings, it was apparent how instinctive survival is to them. They amazingly avoided rocks and shrubs in their way, constantly scanning the horizon with their huge amber eyes and looking for signs of food or enemies.

Though it was not part of the plan that day, the two cubs eventually spotted something - a herd of impala far in the distance. Suddenly, they became the wild animals they were born to be and the two cubs, Kimye & Kayzer took off down the face of the hill, chasing after the herd with their insane speed. The staff who were guiding us began to chase after them and call out to us to gather their attention with the blood we had brought as tracking practice. What a funny sight that I never thought I would see - a group of people chasing after the world’s fastest land animal. The cubs gained a quick distance from us, but still being young and unsure about their hunting skills, they eventually grew tired and returned to the staff that they considered their family. No prey was caught, and no cheetahs were yet released into the wild to live out their days-but in mere moments

I saw a beautiful act of nature. A chase between predator and prey, out in the wilderness, completely devoid of the destructive touch of humans. Though it was chaotic for the staff-who feared their cheetah cubs may be injured in their instinctive chase-watching the cubs take off was a life changing experience. I got to see them using their amazing reflexes and skills, as well as take note of how quickly the herd noticed the two cubs and took off.

I loved South Africa, and I loved seeing animals as they should be-wild.

Name: Mylee Haught
Status: Sophomore
Major: Animal Science
Hometown: Grand Blanc, Michigan
Program: Cheetah Conservation Internship in South Africa